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Little Englander

American  

noun

  1. an English person who believes the best interests of Britain are served by attention to Britain itself, rather than to the concerns of the empire.


Little Englander British  
/ ˈɪŋɡləndə /

noun

  1. (esp in the 19th century) a person opposed to the extension of the British Empire

  2. informal a person who perceives most foreign influences on Britain's culture and institutions as damaging or insidious

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of Little Englander

First recorded in 1890–95

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.

Powell, along with many contemporary Brexiteers, could be called a Little Englander.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 11, 2019

Despite the common caricature of him as a Little Englander, he has a better handle than many Westminster-based politicians on the nuances of EU politics.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2014

An opera-lover who speaks French, German and Spanish and owns a house in the south of France, Mills, 75, says he is no "Little Englander".

From Reuters • Aug. 6, 2013

Without all those purloined pots and marbles, the British Museum could only offer a Little Englander narrative along the lines of 1066 and All That.

From The Guardian • Jun. 29, 2013

"But surely you are not a Little Englander, Mr. Merriman," I said, "or a follower of Mr. Labouchere?"

From South African Memories Social, Warlike & Sporting from Diaries Written at the Time by Wilson, Sarah Isabella Augusta, Lady

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