John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address: List 3

In his inaugural address, President Kennedy famously declared, "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

This list covers words from "So let us begin anew..." to the end of the speech.

Here are links to our vocabulary lists for this speech: List 1 List 2 List 3
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. civility
    the act of showing regard for others
    So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.
  2. formulate
    come up with after a mental effort
    Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms — and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
  3. precise
    sharply exact or accurate or delimited
    Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms — and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
  4. proposal
    something suggested, as a plan or assumption
    Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms — and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
  5. invoke
    summon into action or bring into existence
    Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.
  6. eradicate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
    Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.
  7. oppressed
    burdened psychologically or mentally
    Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the Earth the command of Isaiah to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."
  8. beachhead
    an initial accomplishment that opens the way for advancement
    And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
  9. endeavor
    a purposeful or industrious undertaking
    And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
  10. administration
    the tenure of a president
    All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
  11. tribulation
    an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
    Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" — a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
  12. forge
    make something, usually for a specific function
    Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
  13. fruitful
    productive or conducive to producing in abundance
    Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
  14. maximum
    the greatest or most complete or best possible
    In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.
  15. shrink
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it.
Created on Wed May 06 13:52:27 EDT 2026 (updated Fri May 08 19:50:46 EDT 2026)

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