used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
(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 Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
arisesverbUS /ərˈaɪzəz/
third-person singular of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
assertverbUS /əˈsɜːrt/
state categorically
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
choosesverbUS /ˈtʃuːzəz/
third-person singular of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
contradictionnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃən/
opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
demagoguenounUS /ˈdeməɡɑːɡ/
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
deviltrynoun
wicked and cruel behavior
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
enterprisesnounUS /ˈentərpraɪzɪz/
plural of “enterprise” — a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
a person of German nationality
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
languishverbUS /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃ/
lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
engage in
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
marshalledverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəld/
inflected form of “marshal” — place in proper rank
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
nationalitynounUS /ˌnæʃəˈnæləti/
people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
NegronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
obligationnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃən/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
and nothing more
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
an amount of time
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
perpetuatingverbUS /pərˈpetʃəweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “perpetuate” — cause to continue or prevail
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
any competition
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
rascalnounUS /ˈræskəl/
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
self-questioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/
concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
separatesnounUS /ˈsepəreɪts/
plural of “separate” — a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
shirkedverbUS /ʃɜːrkt/
past form of “shirk” — avoid (one's assigned duties)
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
be standing; be upright
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
stifledadjectiveUS /ˈstaɪfəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
striveverbUS /straɪv/
attempt by employing effort
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
subductionnoun
a geological process in which one edge of a crustal plate is forced sideways and downward into the mantle below another plate
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
threatensverbUS /ˈθretənz/
third-person singular of “threaten” — pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Is not my only possible practical aim the subduction of all that is Negro in me to the American?
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
vacillationnounUS /ˌvæsəˈleɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading It is such incessant self-questioning and the hesitation that arises from it, that is making the present period a time of vacillation and contradiction for the American Negro; combined race action is stifled, race responsibility is shirked, race enterprises languish, and the best blood, the best talent, the best energy of the Negro people cannot be marshalled to do the bidding of the race.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
precisely as stated
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
a Caucasian
From this reading If I strive as a Negro, am I not perpetuating the very cleft that threatens and separates Black and White America?
which person or people
From this reading They stand back to make room for every rascal and demagogue who chooses to cloak his selfish deviltry under the veil of race pride.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Does my black blood place upon me any more obligation to assert my nationality than German, or Irish or Italian blood would?
