adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
ColumbianounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
compelledverbUS /kəmˈpeld/
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
entertainedadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
firewoodnounUS /ˈfaɪərwʊd/
wood used for fuel
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
fishnounUS /fɪʃ/
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
impededadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpiːdɪd/
made difficult or slow
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
IndiansnounUS /ˈɪndiənz/
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
landedadjectiveUS /ˈlændəd/
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
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 The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
pipenounUS /paɪp/
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
Pishquitpahs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
portagenounUS /ˈpɔːrtədʒ/
the cost of carrying or transporting
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But their skill in the handling of their canoes seems to have been equal to the occasion, although they were sometimes compelled to go around the more difficult rapids, making a short land portage.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
treelessadjectiveUS /ˈtriːləs/
not wooded
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
visitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading The visitors were entertained with presents and a long smoke at the pipe of peace.
voyagersnounUS /ˈvɔɪɪdʒərz/
plural of “voyager” — a traveler to a distant land (especially one who travels by sea)
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/
accept gladly
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The voyagers were now drifting down the Columbia River, and they found the way impeded by many rapids, some of them very dangerous.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When they had travelled about forty miles down the river, they landed opposite an island on which were twenty-four houses of Indians; the people, known as the Pishquitpahs, were engaged in drying fish.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading No sooner had the white men landed than the Indians, to the number of one hundred, came across the stream bringing with them some firewood, a most welcome present in that treeless country.
