used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
(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 Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
Blennynoun
small usually scaleless fishes with comb-like teeth living about rocky shores; are territorial and live in holes between rocks
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
confined by bonds
From this reading BOUND FOR CHINA.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
brig-of-war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
CHINAnounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading BOUND FOR CHINA.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
CommandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
commissionedadjectiveUS /kəˈmɪʃənd/
(of military officers) holding by virtue of a commission a rank of second lieutenant or ensign or above
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
despatchverb
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
displayingverbUS /dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
Dugongnoun
sirenian tusked mammal found from eastern Africa to Australia; the flat tail is bilobate
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BOUND FOR CHINA.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
gallantrynounUS /ˈɡæləntri/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
HemmingverbUS /ˈhemɪŋ/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
and nothing more
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
Majesty'snounUS /ˈmædʒəstiz/
possessive form of “majesty” — impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
PortsmouthnounUS /ˈpɔːrtsməθ/
a port city in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk; naval base; shipyards
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
required or under orders
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
(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 papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both the frigate and the brig were destined, it was supposed, for the China seas; but this was not known to a certainty.
at the time that
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-war _Blenny_, just commissioned by Commander Hemming, well-known, as the papers stated, for his gallantry on the coast of Africa, and on every occasion when he had an opportunity of displaying it.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading The papers spoke truly, and well had our old friend won his present rank.
