Chapter I

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

in the past

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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 _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

plural of “beaver” — the soft brown fur of the beaver

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

a member of a warlike group of Algonquians living in the northwestern plains

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

a period of 100 years

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

plural of “dam” — a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

plural of “goat” — any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

a high place

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

a small worthless amount

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

above and across; more than

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

a member of the Pawnee nation formerly living in Nebraska and Kansas but now largely in Oklahoma

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

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

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

the chief mountain range of western North America; extends from British Columbia to northern New Mexico; forms the continental divide

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

uttered with a trill

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

plural of “story” — 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 _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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 _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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 _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

(of bolts or screws) having screw threads

From this reading Occasionally a group of Indians passed over the plains or threaded the defiles of the mountain ranges.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

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

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

not known

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

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

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ A century ago the western half of the American Continent was unknown.

a Caucasian

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Vast herds of buffalo and antelope swarmed over its rolling plains; elk and deer fed along its rivers; wild sheep and white goats clambered over its rocky heights; bears prowled through its forests; beavers built their dams and houses along every stream.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

a late time of life

From this reading A few years later the white man began to penetrate this wilderness.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading _An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky Mountains_ Author of "Jack the Young Ranchman," "Jack Among the Indians," "Jack in the Rockies," "Jack the Young Canoeman," "Pawnee Hero Stories," "Blackfoot Lodge Tales," "The Story of the Indian," "The Indian of To-day," etc.