Chapter XV

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

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

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 OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

a mountain range in the eastern United States extending from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico; a historic barrier to early westward expansion of the United States

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

a state in south central United States; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a period of 100 years

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

a city in northern Mexico in the state of Chihuahua; commercial center of northern Mexico

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

United States explorer who (with Meriwether Lewis) led an expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River; Clark was responsible for making maps of the area (1770-1838)

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

a state in west central United States in the Rocky Mountains

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

plural of “decade” — a period of 10 years

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

plural of “emigrant” — someone who leaves one country to settle in another

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

divisible by two

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

past form of “explore” — inquire into

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

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

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

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

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

immediately past

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

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 THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

inflected form of “mistake” — identify incorrectly

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

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

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

above and across; more than

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

by chance

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

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

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

plural of “source” — the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

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

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

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

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

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

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

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

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

plural of “tributary” — a branch that flows into the main stream

From this reading The journey over the Appalachians, and the down-stream movements that followed the Mississippi and its greater tributaries, were the first concerns of our new-American emigrants.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

up to a particular time

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Lewis and Clark followed up the tortuous Missouri until they reached at least a practical conclusion as to its sources.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

put to use

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading Lieutenant Pike mistook the upper Rio Grande for the head of the Red River, and it cost him a long walk to Chihuahua.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The lower reaches of the great Western rivers having been utilized, the first two decades of the century last past were spent in the search for the head waters of these same streams.

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

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading THE OREGON TRAIL In the distribution of the population of Western America, the mouths of many great Western rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Columbia, the Colorado, the Red, the Sacramento, the Arkansas, perhaps even the Ohio, were known before their sources were fully explored.