used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
(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 A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
BERMUDASnounUS /bərˈmjuːdəz/
a group of islands in the Atlantic off the Carolina coast; British colony; a popular resort
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
CHASEverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
an opposing military force
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
gunnerynounUS /ˈɡʌnəri/
guns collectively
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
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 A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
come together
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
the force of workers available
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
men-of-war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
navynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
proficiencynounUS /prəˈfɪʃənsi/
the quality of having great facility and competence
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
reportedadjectiveUS /ˌriːˈpɔːrtɪd/
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
sea-service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
sheet-anchor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
transport commercially
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
in the near future
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
steam-yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
tacticsnounUS /ˈtæktɪks/
the branch of military science dealing with detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives set by strategy
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The latter are sailors who have spent the greater part of their lives in the national sea-service, and they were competent to teach many of the junior officers.
vacationnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃən/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Every day after the ship went into commission, both officers and seamen were drilled, and the captain declared that they had all made satisfactory proficiency.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
which person or people
From this reading A CHASE OFF THE BERMUDAS All the officers on board of the Bellevite who had never been in the navy had spent their long vacation in the study and practice of gunnery and naval tactics; and the men had been carefully drilled by a competent officer as soon as they reported for duty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was ready to meet an enemy with them; but then the ship's company of the steam-yacht were of the very best material.
a late time of life
From this reading But a considerable number of the latter had served for years on board of men-of-war, and a few were sheet-anchor men.
