Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

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 So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

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

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

incorporation by joining or uniting

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

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

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

the act of discovering something

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

highly significant or important especially bringing about or marking the beginning of a new development or era

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

coins made of gold

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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 IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

engage in

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

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

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

usable for a specific purpose

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

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

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

showing poise and confidence in your own worth

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

moving very fast

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

in a swift manner

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

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

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

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

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

indecision in speech or action

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.

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

From this reading The great state of California alone was cause and sufficient reason for the swift development of the remoter American West.

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 IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

plural of “westerner” — an inhabitant of a western area; especially of the U.S.

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

at a wholesale price

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading THE IRON TRAILS At the time of the discovery of gold in California, there had been built up a splendid Western population, hardy, self-confident, able to shift for itself, wholly distinct from that population that it had for a generation left behind at the old starting places of the trails.

an increase in width

From this reading There can not be denied the tremendous effect produced by the sudden growth of California, coming as it did hard on the time of the annexation of Texas and the widening of our national territory in the far Southwest.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading So far as might be within the horizon of those days, all was now ready for the epoch-making event that was to change all the methods of America, that was to make Westerners by wholesale and to draw them swiftly from every corner of the earth.

but in spite of that

From this reading These trails across the continent, wavering, tortuous, yet practicable, had been fully established.