adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
Anglo-Americannoun
an American who was born in Britain or one whose ancestors were British
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
benefitnounUS /ˈbenəfɪt/
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
broadeningnounUS /ˈbrɔːdənɪŋ/
the act of making something wider
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
conventionsnounUS /kənˈvenʃənz/
plural of “convention” — a large formal assembly
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
cooperativeadjectiveUS /koʊˈɑːpəreɪtɪv/
involving the joint activity of two or more
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
digestverbUS /daɪˈdʒest/
convert food into absorbable substances
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
enrichingverbUS /enˈrɪtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “enrich” — make better or improve in quality
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
equivalentsnounUS /ɪˈkwɪvələnts/
plural of “equivalent” — a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
favorableadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərəbəl/
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
governverbUS /ˈɡʌvərn/
bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
idealsnounUS /aɪˈdiːlz/
plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
ideasnounUS /aɪˈdiːəz/
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
impeccableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpekəbəl/
without fault or error
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
individualismnounUS /ˌɪndɪvɪˈduːəlɪzəm/
the quality of being individual
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
influencesnounUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪz/
plural of “influence” — a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
liberalizingverbUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “liberalize” — make liberal or more liberal, of laws and rules
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
politicaladjectiveUS /pəˈlɪtəkəl/
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
practicesnounUS /ˈpræktəsəz/
plural of “practice” — a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
PuritanismnounUS /ˈpjʊrətənɪzəm/
the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects)
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
rampantadjectiveUS /ˈræmpənt/
unrestrained and violent
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
sentimentnounUS /ˈsentəmənt/
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
socialadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊʃəl/
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
superioradjectiveUS /suːˈpɪriər/
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nor is this American tradition impeccable in the political ideas, the literary ideals, the social customs it has given us.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/
accept gladly
From this reading We should welcome (I do not say that we do) liberalizing, broadening, enriching influences from other traditions.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading We admit also more Puritanism in our standard literature than art can well digest; and more sentiment than is good for us; nor is it probable that the traditions and the conventions which govern American family life are superior to their European equivalents.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading And whether we have welcomed them or not, they have come, and to our great benefit.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading We must admit a rampant individualism in our political practices which is in the very best Anglo-American tradition, and yet by no means favorable to cooperative government.
![Definitions [First Series]](/static/images/covers-gen/definitions-essays-in-contemporary-criticism-first-series.webp)