1683
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
acrenounUS /ˈeɪkər/
a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/
plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
cedarsnounUS /ˈsiːdərz/
plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
erectingnounUS /ɪˈrektɪŋ/
the act of building or putting up
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
felledverbUS /feld/
past form of “fell” — cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
fortificationnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
ten 10s
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
IllinoisnounUS /ˌɪləˈnɔɪ/
a midwestern state in north-central United States
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
Kaskaskias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
laboriouslyadverbUS /ləˈbɔːriəsli/
in a laborious manner
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
mediæval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
palisaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
pathwaynounUS /ˈpæθweɪ/
a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
storehousesnounUS /ˈstɔːrhaʊzəz/
plural of “storehouse” — a depository for goods
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
the upper part of anything
From this reading At the fourth side by a rugged pathway one might climb laboriously from behind to the level top where oaks and cedars grew.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
TRIBESnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the month of January, 1683, this rock was the scene of busy doings.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Three sides of the rock were like the walls of a mediæval castle.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES On the south bank of the river Illinois, a mile or more above the plain where lay the deserted village of the Kaskaskias, a great rock rose sheer from the water to a height of over a hundred feet.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading On the scant acre of ground upon its summit, Frenchmen had felled trees and were building cabins and storehouses and palisaded walls and erecting a fortification about the whole area.
