Taine

American

[teyn, ten] / teɪn, tɛn /

noun

Hippolyte Adolphe 1828–93, French literary critic and historian.

Taine British

/ tɛn /

noun

Hippolyte Adolphe (ipɔlit adɔlf). 1828–93, French literary critic and historian. He applied determinist criteria to the study of literature, art, history, and psychology, regarding them as products of environment and race. His works include Histoire de la littérature anglaise (1863–64) and Les Origines de la France contemporaine (1875–93)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mee, 22, is one of three starting changes from the 26-23 defeat by Scotland with fly-half Dan Edwards and flanker James Botham coming in for the injured Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Tandy's number eight choices in the autumn included Aaron Wainwright, Olly Cracknell, Taine Plumtree and Morgan Morse, while Ross Moriarty could return to provide another option.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The return of Wainwright means Mann moves to open-side at the expense of Harri Deaves with Taine Plumtree shifting to blind-side flanker.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

As Thomas came back on, so exited Wales No.8 Taine Plumtree for an illegal tackle to ensure the pressure remained for the final 10 minutes.

From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025

The result is sometimes a rather irritating uniformity; it is one long Taine that has no turning, and any quotation may be attributed with safety to Guizot, because la nuit tous les chats sont gris.

From Modern Essays by Ayres, Harry Morgan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023