used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
a period of 100 years
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
contemporaryadjectiveUS /kənˈtempəreri/
characteristic of the present
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
the act of discovering something
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/
closed in or surrounded or included within
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
HEARNE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
HudsonnounUS /ˈhʌdsən/
a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
inaccurateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnækjərət/
not accurate
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
navigatorsnounUS /ˈnævəɡeɪtərz/
plural of “navigator” — the ship's officer in charge of navigation
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
not any; not one
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
North-Westadverb
to, toward, or in the northwest
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
OrientverbUS /ˈɔːrient/
be oriented
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
OVERLANDadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlænd/
traveling or passing over land
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
PhilippinesnounUS /ˈfɪləpiːnz/
a republic on the Philippine Islands; achieved independence from the United States in 1946
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
established beyond doubt
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading At the same time the voyages of Captain Fox and his contemporary Captain James had proved Hudson Bay to be an enclosed sea.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
trueradjectiveUS /ˈtruːər/
comparative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The progress of discovery along the Pacific side of the continent and the occupation by the Spaniards of the coast of California led to a truer conception of the immense breadth of North America.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
VoyagesnounUS /ˈvɔɪədʒəz/
plural of “voyage” — an act of traveling by water
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In consequence, for about a century no further attempt was made to find a North-West Passage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HEARNE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN In course of time the inaccurate knowledge and vague hopes of the early navigators were exchanged for more definite ideas in regard to the American continent.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Voyages across the Pacific to the Philippines revealed the great distance to be traversed in order to reach the Orient by the western route.
