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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 under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
action
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From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
brig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
channel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
charged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
crushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
cylinder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
Cyrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
damage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
destroyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
destruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
dome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
engines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Yes! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in the waters of the channel!
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Yes! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in the waters of the channel!
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
explosive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
fishing-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
Harding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
hull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
ironclad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
nitro-glycerine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
picrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in the waters of the channel!
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
refloat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
Speedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
submarine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
torpedo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
Union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding could not be mistaken, as, during the war of the Union, he had had occasion to try these terrible engines of destruction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So, then, all was explained by the submarine explosion of this torpedo.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in the waters of the channel!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was under the action of this cylinder, charged with some explosive substance, nitro-glycerine, picrate, or some other material of the same nature, that the water of the channel had been raised like a dome, the bottom of the brig crushed in, and she had sunk instantly, the damage done to her hull being so considerable that it was impossible to refloat her.
withstand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The “Speedy” had not been able to withstand a torpedo that would have destroyed an ironclad as easily as a fishing-boat!
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! all was explained, everything--except the presence of the torpedo in the waters of the channel!
