used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
assignedadjectiveUS /əˈsaɪnd/
appointed to a post or duty
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
basisnounUS /ˈbeɪsəs/
a relation that provides the foundation for something
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
CentraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
ColumbianounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
COMMISSIONnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
conjecturaladjective
based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
traveling across
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
earnestnessnounUS /ˈɜːrnəstnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
farsightedadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrˈsaɪtəd/
able to see distant objects clearly
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
the act of departing
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
hearsaynounUS /ˈhiːrseɪ/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
HighlandsnounUS /ˈhaɪləndz/
a mountainous region of northern Scotland famous for its rugged beauty; known for the style of dress (the kilt and tartan) and the clan system (now in disuse)
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
Jefferson'snounUS /ˈdʒefərsənz/
possessive form of “jefferson” — 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
MissourinounUS /məˈzʊri/
a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
a form of address for a man
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
navigableadjectiveUS /ˈnævəɡəbəl/
able to be sailed on or through safely
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
and nothing more
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
a course of conduct
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
primaryadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪmeri/
of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
RockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
in or at or to some place
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The map in the hands of the explorers, the only basis for a preliminary outline of their route, was drawn partly from hearsay, partly from imagination; it showed the source of the Missouri to be somewhere in Central California; it showed nothing of the mighty barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
unstudiedadjective
not by design or artifice; unforced and impromptu
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading It was conceived that this could best be done by following the Missouri to its head waters, crossing "the Highlands" to the navigable waters of the Columbia, and going down that river to the Pacific; but this was only conjectural.
which person or people
From this reading Had he who received them been any less in earnest, the task assigned to him must have seemed appalling.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading The primary instruction was to blaze a path, more than four thousand miles long, through an unstudied wilderness.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading TERMS OF THE COMMISSION Mr. Jefferson's instructions to the young officer showed his own farsighted earnestness.
