1803
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
2,500
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
availing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
cededverbUS /ˈsiːdəd/
past form of “cede” — give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
cessionnoun
the act of ceding
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
expectationsnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
expeditionnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
formallyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrməli/
with official authorization
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
JeffersonnounUS /ˈdʒefərsən/
3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
Jefferson'snounUS /ˈdʒefərsənz/
possessive form of “jefferson” — 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
LewisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
LouisiananounUS /luːˌiːziˈænə/
a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
Meriwether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
nativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
plansnounUS /plænz/
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
PresidentnounUS /ˈprezədent/
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
President'snounUS /ˈprezɪdənts/
possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
secretarynounUS /ˈsekrəteri/
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading Meriwether Lewis, a captain in the army, was selected by Jefferson to lead the expedition.
sendverbUS /send/
cause to go somewhere
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
StatesnounUS /steɪts/
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
sumnounUS /sʌm/
a quantity of money
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
TerritorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In 1803, availing himself of a plausible pretext to send out an exploring expedition, President Jefferson asked Congress to appropriate a small sum of money ($2,500) for the execution of his purpose.
trainverbUS /treɪn/
create by training and teaching
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
twenty-ninenoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-eight and one
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At that time the cession of the Louisiana Territory had not been completed; but matters were in train to that end, and before the expedition was fairly started on its long journey across the continent, the Territory was formally ceded to the United States.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
wonder-land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been Jefferson’s private secretary for two years and was, of course, familiar with the President’s plans and expectations as these regarded the wonder-land which Lewis was to enter.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Captain Lewis was a native of Virginia, and at that time was only twenty-nine years old.
