1925
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
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 Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
ArcadiannounUS /ˌɑːrˈkeɪdiən/
an inhabitant of Arcadia
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
attributesnounUS /ˈætrəbjuːts/
plural of “attribute” — a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
a period of 100 years
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
courtlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrtli/
refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
darkies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
democracynounUS /dɪˈmɑːkrəsi/
the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
exaggeratesverbUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪts/
third-person singular of “exaggerate” — to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
excellentlyadverbUS /ˈeksələntli/
extremely well
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
feudalismnounUS /ˈfjuːdəlɪzəm/
the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
FICTIONnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
in a free manner
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
frolicnounUS /ˈfrɑːlɪk/
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
GainesverbUS /ɡeɪnz/
third-person singular of “gain” — obtain
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
gownedadjective
wearing a gown
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
guaranteesnounUS /ˌɡerənˈtiːz/
plural of “guarantee” — a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
illimitableadjective
without limits in extent or size or quantity
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
in motion
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
NegronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
omitsverbUS /oʊˈmɪts/
third-person singular of “omit” — prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
Pendleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
pickaninnies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
PLANTATIONnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
PRO-SLAVERY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
singingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
not in physical motion
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
TRADITIONnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading THE PLANTATION TRADITION: PRO-SLAVERY FICTION _The Plantation Tradition._ The growth and accuracy of the plantation tradition have been excellently studied in _The Southern Plantation_ (1925) by Francis Pendleton Gaines.
tradition's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He proves that “the tradition omits much plantation truth and exaggerates freely certain attractive features of the old life.”
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
unabashedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈbæʃt/
not embarrassed
From this reading But the tradition goes on unabashed; over a century old, it still guarantees best selling fame.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a Caucasian
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Gaines attributes the tradition’s hold on America to a love of feudalism,(in spite of our profession of democracy), the charm of the Negro characters as “native” literary material, and a romantic wish for an Arcadian past.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The setting is familiar: The old plantation; a great mansion; exquisitely gowned ladies and courtly gentlemen moving with easy grace upon the broad veranda behind stalwart columns; surrounding the yard an almost illimitable stretch of white cotton; darkies singingly at work in the fields, Negro quarters, off on one side, around which little pickaninnies tumbled in gay frolic.
