The Top 60 Terms to help you Comprehend the Anti-Federalist essay by Brutus (Robert Yates)

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. propagator
    someone who spreads the news
    They have been told that the opposition is chiefly made by state officers, who expect to lose their places by the change, though the propagators of this falsehood, know, that very few of the state offices will be vacated by the new constitution, an
  2. just deserts
    an outcome in which virtue triumphs over vice
    It would be wise in them, however, to reflect in season that should public commotion take place, they will not only be answerable for the consequences, and the blood that may be shed, but that on such an event, it is more than probable the people will dis
  3. framer
    someone who makes frames (as for pictures)
    I confess I think it of no importance, what are the characters of the framers of this government, and therefore should not have called them in question, if they had not been so often urged in print, and in conversation, in its favour.
  4. emolument
    compensation received by virtue of holding an office
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few were str
  5. animadversion
    harsh criticism or disapproval
    As I do not find that either Cato or the Centinel, Brutus, or the Old Whig, or any other writer against this constitution, have undertaken a particular refutation of this new species of reasoning, I take the liberty of offering to the public, through the
  6. preclude
    make impossible, especially beforehand
    With respect to the first, it will be readily perceived, that it precludes all investigation of the merits of the proposed constitution, and leads to an adoption of the plan, without enquiring whether it be good or bad.
  7. flagrantly
    in a flagrant manner
    In Pennsylvania, the chiefs of the party, who themselves were of the convention, that framed this system, within a few days after it dissolved, and before Congress had considered it, indecently brought forward motion in their general assembly for recommen
  8. exasperate
    make furious
    The most unwearied pains has been taken, to persuade the legislatures to recommend conventions to be elected to meet at early periods, before an opportunity could be had to examine the constitution proposed; every art has been used to exasperate th
  9. exigency
    a pressing or urgent situation
    The country is in profound peace, and we are not threatened by invasion from any quarter: the governments of the respective states are in the full exercise of their powers; and the lives, the liberty, and property of individuals are protected: all present
  10. anarchy
    a state of lawlessness and disorder
    That if the system be not received, this country will be without any government, and of consequence, will be reduced to a state of anarchy and confusion, and involved in bloodshed and carnage; and in the end, a government will be imposed upon us, n
  11. constitution
    the act of forming or establishing something
    As I do not find that either Cato or the Centinel, Brutus, or the Old Whig, or any other writer against this constitution, have undertaken a particular refutation of this new species of reasoning, I take the liberty of offering to the public, throu
  12. prodigality
    the trait of spending extravagantly
    Individuals are just recovering from the losses and embarrassments sustained by the late war: industry and frugality are taking their station, and banishing from the community, idleness and prodigality.
  13. invidious
    containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
    It is an invidious task, to call in question the characters of individuals, especially of such as are placed in illustrious stations.
  14. frugality
    prudence in avoiding waste
    Individuals are just recovering from the losses and embarrassments sustained by the late war: industry and frugality are taking their station, and banishing from the community, idleness and prodigality.
  15. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
    Nothing but the passions of wicked and ambitious men, will put us in the least danger on this head: those who are anxious to precipitate a measure, will always tell us that the present is the critical moment; now is the time, the crisis is arrived,
  16. refutation
    the act of determining that something is false
    As I do not find that either Cato or the Centinel, Brutus, or the Old Whig, or any other writer against this constitution, have undertaken a particular refutation of this new species of reasoning, I take the liberty of offering to the public, throu
  17. usurpation
    wrongfully seizing and holding by force
    That if the system be not received, this country will be without any government, and of consequence, will be reduced to a state of anarchy and confusion, and involved in bloodshed and carnage; and in the end, a government will be imposed upon us, not the
  18. exulting
    joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few were str
  19. vindicated
    freed from any question of guilt
    If it is good, it is capable of being vindicated; if it is bad, it ought not to be supported.
  20. rashly
    in a hasty and foolhardy manner
    There is no reason, therefore, why we should precipitately and rashly adopt a system, which is imperfect or insecure; we may securely deliberate and propose amendments and alterations.
  21. deliberate
    carefully thought out in advance
    That the men who formed it, were wise and experienced; that they were an illustrious band of patriots, and had the happiness of their country at heart; that they were four months deliberating on the subject, and therefore, it must be a perfect syst
  22. vindicate
    show to be right by providing justification or proof
    If it is good, it is capable of being vindicated; if it is bad, it ought not to be supported.
  23. alteration
    the act of revising
    It is not to be wondered at, that an assembly thus composed should produce a system liable to well founded objections, and which will require very essential alterations.
  24. carnage
    the savage and excessive killing of many people
    That if the system be not received, this country will be without any government, and of consequence, will be reduced to a state of anarchy and confusion, and involved in bloodshed and carnage; and in the end, a government will be imposed upon us, n
  25. accommodation
    making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
    We are told by one of themselves (Mr. Wilson of Philadelphia) the plan was matter of accommodation; and it is not unreasonable to suppose, that in this accommodation, principles might be introduced which would render the liberties of the people ver
  26. justify
    show to be right by providing proof
    But supposing the premisses from which this conclusion is drawn, to be just, it then becomes essential, in order to give validity to the argument, to enquire into the characters of those who composed this body, that we may determine whether we can be j
  27. err
    make a mistake
    But when we are required implicitly to submit our opinions to those of others, from a consideration that they are so wise and good as not to be liable to err, and that too in an affair which involves in it the happiness of ourselves and our posteri
  28. implicitly
    without ever expressing so clearly
    But when we are required implicitly to submit our opinions to those of others, from a consideration that they are so wise and good as not to be liable to err, and that too in an affair which involves in it the happiness of ourselves and our posteri
  29. intrinsic
    belonging to a thing by its very nature
    It ought to rest on its own intrinsic merit.
  30. adoption
    proceeding creating a parent-child relation between persons
    With respect to the first, it will be readily perceived, that it precludes all investigation of the merits of the proposed constitution, and leads to an adoption of the plan, without enquiring whether it be good or bad.
  31. validity
    the quality of being legitimate and rigorous
    But supposing the premisses from which this conclusion is drawn, to be just, it then becomes essential, in order to give validity to the argument, to enquire into the characters of those who composed this body, that we may determine whether we can
  32. general assembly
    persons who make or amend or repeal laws
    In Pennsylvania, the chiefs of the party, who themselves were of the convention, that framed this system, within a few days after it dissolved, and before Congress had considered it, indecently brought forward motion in their general assembly for r
  33. artful
    not straightforward or candid
    If any tumults arise, they will be justly chargeable on those artful and ambitious men, who are determined to cram this government down the throats of the people, before they have time deliberately to examine it.
  34. banish
    expel, as if by official decree
    Individuals are just recovering from the losses and embarrassments sustained by the late war: industry and frugality are taking their station, and banishing from the community, idleness and prodigality.
  35. consummate
    having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few were str
  36. lucrative
    producing a sizeable profit
    They have been told that the opposition is chiefly made by state officers, who expect to lose their places by the change, though the propagators of this falsehood, know, that very few of the state offices will be vacated by the new constitution, and are w
  37. advocate
    a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
    They have been told that the opposition is chiefly made by state officers, who expect to lose their places by the change, though the propagators of this falsehood, know, that very few of the state offices will be vacated by the new constitution, and are w
  38. illustrious
    widely known and esteemed
    That the men who formed it, were wise and experienced; that they were an illustrious band of patriots, and had the happiness of their country at heart; that they were four months deliberating on the subject, and therefore, it must be a perfect syst
  39. infer
    conclude by reasoning
    For if we are to infer the perfection of this system from the characters and abilities of the men who formed it, we may as well determine to accept it without any enquiry as with.--A
  40. momentous
    of very great significance
    It is degrading to a freeman, and humiliating to a rational one, to pin his faith on the sleeve of any man, or body of men, in an affair of such momentous importance.
  41. compliance
    the act of submitting, usually surrendering power to another
    In Connecticut, papers have been handed about for the people to sign, to support it, and the names of those who decline signing it, have been taken down in what was called, a black list, to intimidate them into a compliance, and this before the peo
  42. faction
    a dissenting clique
    All the measures of the leaders of this faction have tended to this point.
  43. legislature
    an assembly that makes, amends, or repeals laws
    In Pennsylvania, the chiefs of the party, who themselves were of the convention, that framed this system, within a few days after it dissolved, and before Congress had considered it, indecently brought forward motion in their general assembly for recommen
  44. patriot
    one who loves and defends his or her country
    That the men who formed it, were wise and experienced; that they were an illustrious band of patriots, and had the happiness of their country at heart; that they were four months deliberating on the subject, and therefore, it must be a perfect syst
  45. aristocratic
    belonging to or characteristic of the nobility
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few w
  46. sanction
    official permission or approval
    In Pennsylvania, the chiefs of the party, who themselves were of the convention, that framed this system, within a few days after it dissolved, and before Congress had considered it, indecently brought forward motion in their general assembly for recommen
  47. posterity
    all future generations
    But when we are required implicitly to submit our opinions to those of others, from a consideration that they are so wise and good as not to be liable to err, and that too in an affair which involves in it the happiness of ourselves and our posterity</
  48. liberty
    freedom of choice
    As I do not find that either Cato or the Centinel, Brutus, or the Old Whig, or any other writer against this constitution, have undertaken a particular refutation of this new species of reasoning, I take the liberty of offering to the public, throu
  49. hasten
    move fast
    Many of the members of the convention, who were charged with other public business, have abandoned their duty, and hastened to their states to precipitate an adoption of the measure.
  50. tumult
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
    If any tumults arise, they will be justly chargeable on those artful and ambitious men, who are determined to cram this government down the throats of the people, before they have time deliberately to examine it.
  51. monarchy
    autocracy governed by a ruler who usually inherits authority
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few were str
  52. integrity
    an undivided or unbroken completeness with nothing wanting
    It is readily admitted, that many individuals who composed this body, were men of the first talents and integrity in the union.
  53. tyrant
    a cruel and oppressive dictator
    Tyrants have always made use of this plea; but nothing in our circumstances can justify it.
  54. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few were str
  55. amendment
    a statement that is added to a proposal or document
    There is no reason, therefore, why we should precipitately and rashly adopt a system, which is imperfect or insecure; we may securely deliberate and propose amendments and alterations.
  56. provision
    the activity of supplying something
    It is true, the regulation of trade and a competent provision for the payment of the interest of the public debt is wanting; but no immediate commotion will arise from these; time may be taken for calm discussion and deliberate conclusions.
  57. Congress
    the legislature of the United States government
    In Congress they attempted to obtain a resolution to approve the constitution, without going into an examination of it.
  58. pursuit
    the act of following in an effort to overtake or capture
    They have been told that the opposition is chiefly made by state officers, who expect to lose their places by the change, though the propagators of this falsehood, know, that very few of the state offices will be vacated by the new constitution, and are w
  59. render
    give or supply
    We are told by one of themselves (Mr. Wilson of Philadelphia) the plan was matter of accommodation; and it is not unreasonable to suppose, that in this accommodation, principles might be introduced which would render the liberties of the people ver
  60. sovereign
    a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
    It is at the same time, well known to every man, who is but moderately acquainted with the characters of the members, that many of them are possessed of high aristocratic ideas, and the most sovereign contempt of the common people; that not a few w
Created on Wed Nov 09 12:54:45 EST 2011 (updated Wed Nov 09 13:00:55 EST 2011)

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