Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

a city in western Germany near the Dutch and Belgian borders; formerly it was Charlemagne's northern capital

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

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

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

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 The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

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

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

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

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “boundary” — the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “campaign” — a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

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

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

join the military

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

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

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

yet to be or coming

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

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

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

fighting; acts of overt warfare

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

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

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

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

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

an act of being a tenant or occupant

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

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

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

not in physical motion

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

becoming stronger

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

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

From this reading RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH AND THE FRENCH.--PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTILITIES.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

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

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

a written agreement between two states or sovereigns

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

(of a stream) flowing into a larger stream

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.

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

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

possessive form of “washington” — the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading During the time of Washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains, a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot, destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises, and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes.

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

From this reading Immense regions were still claimed by both nations, and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them, and strengthening its claim by occupancy.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The most desirable of these regions lay west of the Alleghany Mountains, extending from the lakes to the Ohio, and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams.

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

From this reading The treaty of peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, which had put an end to the general war of Europe, had left undefined the boundaries between the British and French possessions in America.