Chapter VII · A Commencement Oration on Cabbages

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

(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 If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

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

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

any thing at all

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

at or in or to any place

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

established by authority; given authoritative approval

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

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

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

for the reason that

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

an occurrence of something

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

third-person singular of “consist” — originate

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

relating to the process of education

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

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

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

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

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

past form of “hamper” — prevent the progress or free movement of

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

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

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

comparative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

on one occasion

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

the principles and methods of instruction

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

any competition

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

relieve from

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation

From this reading I have sometimes regarded it as a fortunate circumstance that I never studied pedagogy.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

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

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

an inherited pattern of thought or action

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

precisely as stated

From this reading One of the advantages of a new people or a new race—such as, to a very large extent, the American Negroes are—consists in the fact that they are not hampered, as other peoples sometimes are, by tradition.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

in the company of; together with

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.

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

From this reading As a race we are free, if we so choose, to adopt at once the very latest and most approved methods of education, because we are not held back by any wornout tradition; and we have few bad educational habits to be got rid of before we can start in to employ newer and better methods.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading In the matter of education, for example, Negroes in the South are not hampered by tradition, because they have never had any worth speaking of.

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

From this reading If I had done so, every time I attempted to do anything in a new way I should have felt compelled to reckon with all the past, and in my case that would have taken so much time that I should never have got anywhere.