used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
in the past
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
CAPTIVEnounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
GrandmanounUS /ˈɡrændmɑː/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
the act of departing
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
a particular point in time
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
not any; not one
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
OhionounUS /oʊˈhaɪoʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
go across or through
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
in the near future
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
SparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
express in words
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
tradersnounUS /ˈtreɪdərz/
plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
tradingnounUS /ˈtreɪdɪŋ/
buying or selling securities or commodities
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
tree-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN Grandma Sparks folded her hands contentedly in her lap and fastened her eyes upon the distant tree-tops.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Though these Indians were friendly the soldiers had made the fort as strong as possible, for they knew that no one could tell at what moment they might be attacked!
at the time that
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
which person or people
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The land was rich about them and they were soon carrying on a prosperous trade with the Indians who came to the fort.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sometimes weeks and months would pass when no Indian would come their way; then some of the traders would journey back along the trail with their wealth, leaving the others at the fort to guard it.
a late time of life
From this reading "Years and years ago, when this land was a vast forest, a band of Canadian and French soldiers and traders made their way through the wilderness to the banks of the Ohio where they built a small fort and started a trading post.
