Chapter I · Chapter 1

the French-speaking part of the Canadian Maritime Provinces

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

any specific behavior

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

plural of “age” — how long something has existed

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

in the past

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

(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 Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

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

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

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

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

brought together in one place

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

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

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

past form of “deface” — mar or spoil the appearance of

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

well in the past; former

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

remove the dust from

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

ambition to equal or excel

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

the power to withstand hardship or stress

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

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 If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

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

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

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

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

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

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

a message received and understood

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “instance” — an occurrence of something

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

a message describing how something is to be done

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

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

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

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 If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

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 In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

and nothing more

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

plural of “particular” — a fact about some part (as opposed to general)

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

pull or pull out sharply

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

-ing form of “preserve” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

in secrecy; not openly

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

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

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

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

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

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

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Some few, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them.

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

From this reading In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

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

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.

precisely as stated

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

which person or people

From this reading The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country.