1776
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
1782
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
76
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
the two together, not just one
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
Britannia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
civilizedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəlaɪzd/
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
ColoniesnounUS /ˈkɑːləniz/
plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
commercenounUS /ˈkɑːmərs/
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
ContinentaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntəˈnentəl/
of or pertaining to or typical of Europe
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
country'snounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
destroyernounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪər/
a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
ill-fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
navynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
and nothing more
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
pitifullyadverbUS /ˈpɪtɪfəli/
to a pitiful degree
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
Privateering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
PRIVATEERSMEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
RevolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
roamedverbUS /roʊmd/
past form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
transport commercially
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
possessing sweep
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
moving very fast
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
thirty-oneadjective
being one more than thirty
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
warfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading THE PRIVATEERSMEN OF ’76 Privateering has ceased to be a factor in civilized warfare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In 1776 there were only thirty-one Continental cruisers of all classes in commission and this list was steadily diminished by the ill-fortunes of war until in 1782 only seven ships flew the American flag, which had been all but swept from the ocean.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To-day the United States has a navy prepared both to defend its own merchant vessels, what few there are, and to menace the trade of a hostile nation on the high seas.
at the time that
From this reading When the War of the Revolution began, however, Britannia ruled the seas, and the naval force of the Colonies was pitifully feeble.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The swift commerce destroyer as an arm of the naval service has taken the place of the private armed ship which roamed the seas for its own profit as well for its country’s cause.
