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The Prairie
The Prairie

Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.
—As you like it.
Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.
As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.
It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Prairie

Chapter I

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.
Line 2
—As you like it.
Line 3
Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.
Line 4
As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.
Line 5
It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.”

Ourselves pronoun US /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading “I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.”

Thee pronoun US /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading “I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.”

All words in this reading · 96

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

adding

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

apparent

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading —As you like it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

barrier

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

became

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

become

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

belt

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

Bring

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

buy

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

Canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

capacity

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

conceded

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

concerning

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

considerations

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

controversy

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

country

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

day

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

desert

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

entertainment

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

extension

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

feed

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

fertile

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

gave

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

generally

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

gold

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

half-tenanted

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

immense

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading —As you like it.

liberal

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

like

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

From this reading —As you like it.

Louisiana

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

love

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

made

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

masters

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

meanest

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

measure

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

more

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

Much

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

nation

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

nature

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

place

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

placed

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

policy

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

population

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

pray

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

property

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

regions

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

revolutions

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

rival

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

said

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

shepherd

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

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

soon

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

States

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

subsided

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

territories

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

theepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

United

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

vast

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

views

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

warmth

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

west

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

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I pray thee, shepherd, if that love or gold, Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation.

wisdom

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

From this reading As the warmth of controversy however subsided, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded.

written

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

From this reading Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading —As you like it.