"A Definition of a Gentleman"

In an essay featured in "The Idea of a University," which was originally a series of lectures, John Henry Newman defines what a gentleman should and should not do. The writer was addressing a 19th century audience, but you may find some pointers in this list.

Here are all the word lists to support the reading of Grade 8 Unit 1's texts from SpringBoard's Common Core ELA series: A Wrinkle in Time, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh, The Odyssey, A Man, Soldier home, Sonnet 116, Where I Find My Heroes, White House Funeral Sermon, O Captain! My Captain!, Frederick Douglass, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, A Definition of a Gentleman
10 words 133 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. collision
    a conflict of opposed ideas or attitudes or goals
    The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast;--all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment
  2. concern
    something that interests you because it is important
    his great concern being to make everyone at their ease and at home
  3. bashful
    self-consciously timid
    he is tender towards the bashful
  4. merciful
    (used conventionally of royalty and high nobility) gracious
    and merciful towards the absurd
  5. prominent
    having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
    he is seldom prominent in conversations, and never wearisome
  6. compel
    force somebody to do something
    He never speaks of himself except when compelled
  7. scrupulous
    having ethical or moral principles
    he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best
  8. dispute
    a disagreement or argument about something important
    He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage
  9. insinuate
    introduce or insert in a subtle manner
    never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out
  10. prudence
    discretion in practical affairs
    From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.
Created on 十二月 14, 2014 (updated 十二月 14, 2014)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.