Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

later than; following

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

how long something has existed

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

in the past

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

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 first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

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

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

any thing at all

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

serving as an essential component

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the male ruler of an empire

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

plural of “european” — a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

divisible by two

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

a social unit living together

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

plural of “forefather” — the founder of a family

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

set up or found

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

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 Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

proceeding in small stages

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

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

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

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

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

plural of “implement” — instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

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 Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

the force of workers available

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

evergreen tree with large leathery leaves and large pink to orange flowers; considered a link plant between families Bombacaceae and Sterculiaceae

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

past form of “originate” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading The Spaniards even called the head-chief of the Mexicans the "Emperor Montezuma."

not in physical motion

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

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

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading SOMETHING ABOUT INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE Mistakes of the Earliest European Visitors as to Indian Society and Government.--How Indian Social Life originated.--The Family Tie the Central Principle.--Gradual Development of a Family into a Tribe.--The Totem.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

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

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

at the time that

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

a Caucasian

From this reading The first white visitors to America found men exercising some kind of authority, and they called them kings, after the fashion of European government.

which person or people

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading There was not a king, still less an emperor, in the whole of North America.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

a late time of life

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.

but in spite of that

From this reading Had these first Europeans understood that they were face to face with men of the Stone Age, that is, with men who had not progressed further than our own forefathers had advanced thousands of years ago, in that dim past when they used weapons and implements of stone, and when they had not as yet anything like written language, they would have been saved many blunders.