adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
abandoningverbUS /əˈbændənɪŋ/
-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
Alleghanies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
branchnounUS /bræntʃ/
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
Calhoun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
CarolinasnounUS /ˌkerəˈlaɪnəz/
the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
commonwealthnounUS /ˈkɑːmənwelθ/
the official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico)
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
descendantsnounUS /dɪˈsendənts/
all of the offspring of a given progenitor
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
fertileadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtəl/
capable of reproducing
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
fitnessnounUS /ˈfɪtnəs/
the quality of being suitable
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
forefathersnounUS /ˈfɔːrfɑːðərz/
plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
frontiersmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
great-grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
groundsnounUS /ɡraʊndz/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
hereditynounUS /hərˈedəti/
the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
intrepidadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtrepəd/
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
luxuriesnounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəriz/
plural of “luxury” — something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
major'snounUS /ˈmeɪdʒərz/
possessive form of “major” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
membernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
revolutionaryadjectiveUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃəneri/
markedly new or introducing radical change
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
southernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
statesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading The major's great-grandfather saw the glories and the possibilities of the new territory.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
trailsnounUS /treɪlz/
plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Major George Calhoun was a member of Congress from one of the southern states.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading He struck boldly westward from the old revolutionary grounds, abandoning the luxuries and traditions of the Carolinas for a fresh, wild life of promise.
wildsnounUS /waɪldz/
plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization
From this reading While intrepid frontiersmen were opening the trails through the fertile wilds west of the Alleghanies, a strong branch of the Calhoun family followed close in their footsteps.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His forefathers had represented the same commonwealth, and so, it was likely, would his descendants, if there is virtue in the fitness of things and the heredity of love.
