used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
BLINDINGadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
breech-block
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
put or send forth
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
corditenoun
explosive powder (nitroglycerin and guncotton and petrolatum) dissolved in acetone and dried and extruded in brown cords
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
cylindernounUS /ˈsɪləndər/
a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
garmentnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənt/
an article of clothing
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
gun'snounUS /ɡʌnz/
possessive form of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
Kenneth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
without good reason
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
lurchverbUS /lɜːrtʃ/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
the force of workers available
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
patrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
recoilverbUS /riˈkɔɪl/
draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
reeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
reeledverbUS /riːld/
past form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
six-pounder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
not in physical motion
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
SUNKadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
required or under orders
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SUNK IN ACTION A BLINDING flash and a deafening roar, followed by a sickening lurch of the little patrol boat as the lightly built hull reeled to the recoil, announced that the action had commenced.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Almost immediately the breech-block of the six-pounder was jerked back and the still smoking metal cylinder clattered noisily on the deck.
which person or people
From this reading The air reeked of burnt cordite as the excited gun's crew, who had never before been in action, loaded and fired like men possessed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the first shot Kenneth's sense of nervousness fell from him like a cast garment.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Up to the present the foe had not replied to the M.L.'s fire, but it was not to be supposed that she would decline the combat.
