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A Fleet in Being
A Fleet in Being

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for A Fleet in Being
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.
This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.
A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.
The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’
‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Fleet in Being

Chapter IV

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.
Line 2
This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.
Line 3
A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.
Line 4
The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’
Line 5
‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.”

Coxswain noun US /ˈkɑːksən/

the person who steers a small boat

From this reading “It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.”

All words in this reading · 92

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1898

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

adequate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

Admiral

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

affairs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

beached

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

blue-jacketed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

Canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

Captain's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

collier

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

Corner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

coxswainnounUS /ˈkɑːksən/

the person who steers a small boat

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

cruiser

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

days

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

Devonport

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

drove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

effect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

fit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

Fleet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

go

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

got

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

guest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

Haven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

II

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

immaculate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

inches

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

later

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

Lord

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

love

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

met

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

Milford

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

minute

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

misguided

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

North

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

nose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

Note

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

Plymouth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

possible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

precise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

private

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

ram

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

returning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

round

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

seen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

September

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

sit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

soon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

starboard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

state

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

thirteen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

twisted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A misguided collier had seen fit to sit on her ram for a minute or so in Milford Haven, a few days before, and had twisted it thirteen inches to starboard.

urgent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This time my cruiser was not with the Fleet, but on urgent private affairs.

words

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

year

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the Captain’s coxswain (_see_ Note II.)—precise, immaculate, and adequate as ever—who met the returning guest at Devonport a year later—September, 1898.

yes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading ‘Lord love you, yes,’ said we, or words to that effect.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The collier was beached as soon as possible, and the Admiral he said to us (this I got from the coxswain as we drove to North Corner, by night, through blue-jacketed Devonport): ‘Can you go round to Plymouth with your nose in that state?’