Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

recognized or made known or admitted

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

plural of “anthology” — a collection of selected literary passages

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

a collection of selected literary passages

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

(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 Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

having the ability or power to create

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

command with authority

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

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

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

an analytic or interpretive literary composition

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

accept an excuse for

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

the act of giving

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to Saddam Hussein's government of Iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of Sunni and Shiite Arabs and Kurds who hope to build a new government

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

a message received and understood

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

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 Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

and nothing more

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

by chance

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

literature in metrical form

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

the act or process of producing something

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

in the recent past

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

possessive form of “somebody” — a human being

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

the activity of supplying or providing something

From this reading Moreover, the matter of Negro poets and the production of literature by the colored people in this country involves more than supplying information that is lacking.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged.

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

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It is a matter which has a direct bearing on the most vital of American problems.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading The public, generally speaking, does not know that there are American Negro poets--to supply this lack of information is, alone, a work worthy of somebody's effort.

a late time of life

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Chosen and Edited With An Essay On The Negro's Creative Genius Author of "Fifty Years and Other Poems" Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York There is, perhaps, a better excuse for giving an Anthology of American Negro Poetry to the public than can be offered for many of the anthologies that have recently been issued.