used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was almost in a state of stupefaction.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
airshipnounUS /ˈerʃɪp/
a steerable self-propelled aircraft
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was almost in a state of stupefaction.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
commandantnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdɑːnt/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
deputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
derelictadjectiveUS /ˈderəlɪkt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
give a description of
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
an act that fails
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
a person of German nationality
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
Heligoland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was almost in a state of stupefaction.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
indiscretionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃən/
the trait of being injudicious
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
ingloriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
a particular point in time
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
and nothing more
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
peerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrlɪs/
eminent beyond or above comparison
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
ravedverbUS /reɪvd/
past form of “rave” — participate in an all-night techno dance party
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
express in words
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
stupefactionnoun
a feeling of stupefied astonishment
From this reading He was almost in a state of stupefaction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their failure to do so only increased his consternation.
thunderstruckadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərstrʌk/
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
hard to endure
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
which person or people
From this reading It was he who had given the order for the gunners to bring down the derelict.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At the Mercy of the Winds IT would ill describe the state of mind of the deputy commandant of the fortress of Heligoland to say that he was thunderstruck at the latest disaster that had overtaken one of the German air fleet.
ZeppelinnounUS /ˈzepɪlɪn/
German inventor who designed and built the first rigid motorized dirigible (1838-1917)
From this reading At one moment he raved at the indiscretion of the commander of the Zeppelin in attempting to come to earth in a gale of wind; at another he sat with his hands clasped tightly across his eyes, as if trying to shut out the inglorious sight of the hitherto peerless airship drifting helplessly at the mercy of the elements.
