used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
brigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
broadsidenounUS /ˈbrɔːdsaɪd/
an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
not accessible to view
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
corvettenounUS /kɔːrˈvet/
a highly maneuverable escort warship; smaller than a destroyer
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
dosenounUS /doʊs/
a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
one or the other of two
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
field-pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
frigate'snounUS /ˈfrɪɡəts/
possessive form of “frigate” — a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
Gannetnoun
large heavily built seabird with a long stout bill noted for its plunging dives for fish
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
the act of departing
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
inequalitiesnounUS /ˌɪnəˈkwɑːlɪtiz/
plural of “inequality” — lack of equality
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
keelnounUS /kiːl/
a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
luggers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
the force of workers available
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
and nothing more
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
only a very short time before
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
schoonersnounUS /ˈskuːnərz/
plural of “schooner” — a large beer glass
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
slackenedverbUS /ˈslækənd/
past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
the season of growth
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Frenchmen replied briskly enough at first; but as they occasionally got a dose from the frigate's long guns, they gradually slackened in their efforts to defend their ships, and finally were seen taking to their boats and escaping on shore.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
up to a particular time
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
soldiers collectively
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
volleysnounUS /ˈvɑːliz/
plural of “volley” — rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading The French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
(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 French troops, as they did so, followed them along the shore, keeping, however, as well as they could, concealed behind the inequalities of the ground, and only occasionally halting and firing rapid volleys at them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The corvette, and several brigs and schooners, and three armed luggers, were soon seen either at anchor close to the beach or on shore.
which person or people
From this reading As soon as the boats returned, the fire from the frigate and corvette knocked over the two field-pieces and several of the men who served them, and the ships then proceeded up the harbour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The frigate could not venture to close with them, but the gallant little _Gannet_, with the lead going, stood on till she had scarcely a foot of water under her keel, and then, dropping an anchor with a spring to the cable, so as to keep her broadside to the corvette, opened her fire.
