Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

later than; following

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

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 Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

any thing at all

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

from appearances alone

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

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

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

make calm or still

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

the act of discovering something

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

(of time) having passed or slipped by

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

to travel for the purpose of discovery

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

free from external control and constraint

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

an autocracy governed by a monarch who usually inherits the authority

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

not any; not one

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

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

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

being ten more than sixty

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

plural of “snail” — freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

plural of “sovereign” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a violent commotion or disturbance

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading But no, the distribution of a population along its banks was as calm and deliberate and time-devouring a process as the discovery and exploration had been.

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

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

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

From this reading APPARENTLY the river was ready for business, now.

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

From this reading Truly, there were snails in those days.

at the time that

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a Caucasian

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Between La Salle's opening of the river and the time when it may be said to have become the vehicle of anything like a regular and active commerce, seven sovereigns had occupied the throne of England, America had become an independent nation, Louis XIV. and Louis XV. had rotted and died, the French monarchy had gone down in the red tempest of the revolution, and Napoleon was a name that was beginning to be talked about.

a late time of life

From this reading Seventy years elapsed, after the exploration, before the river's borders had a white population worth considering; and nearly fifty more before the river had a commerce.