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.

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

If the Dragons number eight is ruled out, Taine Plumtree would step up from the bench with uncapped Ospreys back row Morgan Morse in line to be promoted to a replacement role.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Wales kept their cool and Edwards dived over for the crucial score after some fine handling, especially from replacement Taine Plumtree.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2025

Ellis Mee secured the bonus-point after the break before a shift in momentum allowed Taine Basham and Huw Anderson to cross for the visitors.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2025

No less a man than Taine declares that Browning stands first among English poets—“the most excellent where excellence is greatness, the most gifted where genius is a common dower.”

From Browning and His Century by Clarke, Helen Archibald

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