1869
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
completely unclothed
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
cañons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
ColoradonounUS /ˌkɑːlərˈɑːdoʊ/
a state in west central United States in the Rocky Mountains
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
extendverbUS /ɪkˈstend/
extend in scope or range or area
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
gold-seekers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
issuesnounUS /ˈɪʃuːz/
plural of “issue” — an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
in the recent past
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
most important element
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
PowellnounUS /ˈpaʊəl/
United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937)
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
compacted by ironing
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
except for; apart from
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
tributariesnounUS /ˈtrɪbjəteriz/
plural of “tributary” — a branch that flows into the main stream
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was not until 1869 that a thorough exploration of the cañons was made by a government expedition under the command of Major Powell.
unexploredadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈsplɔːrd/
not yet discovered
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
waterlessadjective
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
in or at the place that
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
which person or people
From this reading The marvellous cañons of the Colorado River extend through a country absolutely bare and waterless, and save the tales told by a few hunters or gold-seekers who, pressed by Indians, made the descent of some of them, but little was known regarding this region.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading This expedition passed through the whole of the cañons, from those high up on the Green River to the point where the Colorado issues out on to the plains.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Until comparatively lately that portion of the United States in which I have laid this story was wholly unexplored.
a late time of life
From this reading Four years were occupied by the party in making a detailed survey of the course of the main river and its tributaries.
