DCHP-1 Online

America † 

• 1 n. North America, especially Canada and the United States.

  • The entries for America and American are intended to give some idea of the meaning of these terms in Canada during the past two hundred years. In modern times, it is not usual to include Canada as part of America, which, rightly or wrongly, generally refers to the United States.

  • 1583  But hauing the winde fayre & good, they proceeded on theyr course towards the fyrme of Ameryca, which by reason of continuall Fogges, at that time of the yeere especially: they coulde neuer see, till Cox Maister of the Golden Hinde did discerne Lande.
  • 1764  Many of us who have served in America since the beginning of the last War . . . have been Witnesses of your irreproachable conduct, of your distinguished Attachment and Zeal for His Majesty's Service.
  • 1836  St. John is the natural capital of the Bay of Fundy, it will be the largest city in America next to New York.
  • 1957  Vancouver . . . is the damndest, wickedest, bloodiest-awful town in America!

• 2 n. the United States of America, excluding Canada.

  • 1784  We have heard from Mishipicoton by Indians that have been there this Spring that War has broke out again with America.
  • 1829  It did not appear to me that America has any desire for the conquest of Canada, for one very good reason, that she could reap no advantage from it.
  • 1962  Thousands of rockhounds from Canada and America visit the Monte Lake digging every year. . . .