accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
availableadjectiveUS /əˈveɪləbəl/
obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
boatsnounUS /boʊts/
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
capableadjectiveUS /ˈkeɪpəbəl/
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
choppersnounUS /ˈtʃɑːpərz/
plural of “chopper” — a grounder that bounces high in the air
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
classifiedadjectiveUS /ˈklæsəfaɪd/
arranged into classes
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
clumsilyadverbUS /ˈklʌmsəli/
in a clumsy manner
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
concentrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsənˈtreɪʃən/
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
createverbUS /kriˈeɪt/
make or cause to be or to become
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
crewnounUS /kruː/
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
detachments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
draftnounUS /dræft/
a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
fitnessnounUS /ˈfɪtnəs/
the quality of being suitable
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
handyadjectiveUS /ˈhændi/
easy to reach
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
haulersnounUS /ˈhɔːlərz/
plural of “hauler” — a haulage contractor
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
hundredsnounUS /ˈhʌndrədz/
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
laddersnounUS /ˈlædərz/
plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
Percival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
planverbUS /plæn/
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
rotationnounUS /roʊˈteɪʃən/
the act of rotating as if on an axis
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
sendingnounUS /ˈsendɪŋ/
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
shiftsnounUS /ʃɪfts/
plural of “shift” — an event in which something is displaced without rotation
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
strippersnounUS /ˈstrɪpərz/
plural of “stripper” — a chemical compound used to remove paint or varnish
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
successiveadjectiveUS /səkˈsesɪv/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
ThroughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The first of the two boats came alongside, and men began to go clumsily, even fearfully down the ladders.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
uselessadjectiveUS /ˈjuːsləs/
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
water-boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each successive draft, therefore, had its choppers, its strippers, its haulers, its “handy men,”--and its water-boys.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Throughout the early stages of activity on shore, the passengers and crew went out in shifts, so to speak.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
wood-choppers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For example, certain men developed into capable wood-choppers, while others were useless in that capacity.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Percival and others experienced in construction work had learned that efficiency and accomplishment depend entirely upon the concentration of force, and so, instead of piling hundreds of futile men on shore to create confusion, they adopted the plan of sending out daily detachments of fifty or sixty, to work in regular rotation until all available man power had been broken in and classified according to fitness and strength.
