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A Book of American Explorers
A Book of American Explorers

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers is here in full — 264 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.
(A.D.
14921503.)
Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
The following passages are taken from Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 117, 2022, 27, 3336, 4042, 114121, 129138, 200202, 205210, 214225.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Book of American Explorers

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers is here in full — 264 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.
/kəˈlʌmbəs ənd hɪz kəmˈpænjənz/
Line 2
(A.D.
Line 3
14921503.)
Line 4
Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
/ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən rɪˈsepʃən ʌv kəˈlʌmbəs baɪ ˈfɜːrdɪnænd ənd ˌɪzəˈbelə/
Line 5
The following passages are taken fromSelect Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 117, 2022, 27, 3336, 4042, 114121, 129138, 200202, 205210, 214225.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Christopher noun US /ˈkrɪstəfər/

Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)

From this reading “The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.”

columbus noun US /kəˈlʌmbəs/

the state capital of Ohio; located in the center of the state; site of Ohio State University

From this reading “COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.”

ferdinand noun US /ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/

the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella

From this reading “Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.”

Illustration noun US /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading “Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.”

isabella noun US /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading “Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.”

passages noun US /ˈpæsədʒəz/

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading “The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.”

reception noun US /rɪˈsepʃən/

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading “Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.”

Select adjective US /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading “The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

following passages adjective + noun counted as “following passage”

In this reading “The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.”

All words in this reading · 48

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

114

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

121

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

129

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

138

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

1492

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

From this reading 1492‒1503.)

1503

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

From this reading 1492‒1503.)

17

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

1847

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

20

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

200

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

202

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

205

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

210

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

214

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

22

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

225

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

27

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

33

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

36

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

40

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

42

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading (A.D.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/

Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

COLUMBUSnounUS /kəˈlʌmbəs/

the state capital of Ohio; located in the center of the state; site of Ohio State University

From this reading COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.

COMPANIONSnounUS /kəmˈpænjənz/

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.

DnounUS /diː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading (A.D.

FERDINANDnounUS /ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/

the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

Hakluyt

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS.

IllustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/

artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

ISABELLAnounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

LettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

pp

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

RECEPTIONnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading Illustration: RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS BY FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

SelectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/

of superior grade

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The following passages are taken from “Select Letters of Christopher Columbus,” published by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1847, pp. 1‒17, 20‒22, 27, 33‒36, 40‒42, 114‒121, 129‒138, 200‒202, 205‒210, 214‒225.

Chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson holds 264 sentences, grouped into 53 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers contain?

Chapter 2 holds 264 sentences of A Book of American Explorers, unabridged, divided into 53 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 264 sentences, grouped into 53 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of A Book of American Explorers?

Work through the 53 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 53 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Book of American Explorers

Common questions about reading A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Book of American Explorers?

Yes. All 2577 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56346 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Book of American Explorers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56346, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Book of American Explorers take to read?

About 214 minutes of reading across 516 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in A Book of American Explorers

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Book of American Explorers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

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A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Book of American Explorers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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