1849
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
AddressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
alludedverbUS /əˈluːdɪd/
past form of “allude” — make a more or less disguised reference to
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
breezyadjectiveUS /ˈbriːzi/
fresh and animated
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
ColonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
colonistsnounUS /ˈkɑːlənɪsts/
plural of “colonist” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
describeverbUS /dɪˈskraɪb/
give a description of
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
Elizabethans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
EnglishmennounUS /ˌeŋˈlɪʃmən/
plural of “englishman” — a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
give expression to
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
folksnounUS /foʊks/
your parents
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
groupnounUS /ɡruːp/
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
home-keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
hopesnounUS /hoʊps/
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
instinctnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
LiteraturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/
most important element
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
picturesquenessnoun
the quality of being strikingly expressive or vivid
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
poetizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/
the act or process of producing something
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
prosenounUS /proʊz/
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
From this reading Like most of the Elizabethans, he cannot help poetizing in his prose.
recordsnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdz/
plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
RelationnounUS /riˈleɪʃən/
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
simplestadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpləst/
superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
situationnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃən/
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
Smith'snounUS /smɪθs/
possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
swiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
TrueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
typicaladjectiveUS /ˈtɪpəkəl/
exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category
From this reading Captain John Smith's True Relation, already alluded to, is the typical production of this class: a swift marching book, full of eager energy, of bluff and breezy picturesqueness, and of triumphant instinct for the main chance.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Addressed to home-keeping Englishmen across the sea, they describe the new world, explain the present situation of the colonists, and express their hopes for the future.
writingsnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋz/
the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading The First Colonial Literature The simplest and oldest group of colonial writings is made up of records of exploration and adventure.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading They are like the letters written from California in 1849 to the "folks back East."
