Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

plural of “adventurer” — a person who enjoys taking risks

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

(according to Marxist thought) being of the property-owning class and exploitive of the working class

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

of or relating to Canada or its people

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

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

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

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

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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 TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

at any time

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

a man of refinement

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

destroyed or killed

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

highest in quality

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

of great significance or value

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

plural of “noble” — a titled peer of the realm

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

the state of being of noble birth

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

a country person

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

plural of “peasant” — a country person

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

third-person singular of “prefer” — like better; value more highly

From this reading The peasant prefers the gentleman to the bourgeois as his companion.

any competition

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

a man of rank in the ancient regime

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

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

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

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

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

which person or people

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The veteran Charles le Moyne, with his sons, each of whom played a daring and important part in the history of New France,--Iberville greatest,--was one of the few merchants in whom was combined the trader and the noble.

in the company of; together with

From this reading These were a strange mixture: French peasants, half-breeds, Canadian-born Frenchmen, gentlemen of birth with lives and fortunes gone askew, and many of the native Canadian noblesse, who, like the nobles of France, forbidden to become merchants, became adventurers with the coureurs du bois, who were ever with them in spirit more than with the merchant.

plural of “woodsman” — someone who lives in the woods

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Many a coureur du bois divided his tale of furs with a distressed noble or seigneur, who dare not work in the fields.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading TO THE PORCH OF THE WORLD The English colonies never had a race of woodsmen like the coureurs du bois of New France.