John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address: List 1

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 the beginning of the speech through "This much we pledge — and more."

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. symbolize
    express indirectly by an image, form, or model
    We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end as well as a beginning — signifying renewal as well as change.
  2. signify
    convey or express a meaning
    We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end as well as a beginning — signifying renewal as well as change.
  3. renewal
    the act of renewing
    We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end as well as a beginning — signifying renewal as well as change.
  4. prescribe
    issue commands or orders for
    For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
  5. abolish
    do away with
    The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.
  6. forebear
    a person from whom you are descended
    And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
  7. heir
    a person who inherits some title or office
    We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.
  8. foe
    an armed adversary
    Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
  9. tempered
    Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
  10. disciplined
    trained mentally or physically by instruction or exercise
    Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
  11. committed
    bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a cause or action
    Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
  12. survival
    the state of remaining alive
    Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
Created on Wed May 06 13:51:50 EDT 2026 (updated Fri May 08 19:47:34 EDT 2026)

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