Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin: Racine is a city located in southeastern Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Michigan, south of the city of Milwaukee.
   • A French dramatist: Jean Racine was a 17th-century French playwright, a leading figure of French tragedy. He was an advocate of Jansenism and his works are often based on Greek and Roman themes.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Place):

  • The manufacturing company has its headquarters in Racine.
  • We drove from Milwaukee to Racine along the lakefront.

• Proper noun (Person):

  • Racine is often studied alongside his contemporary, Molière.
  • The plays of Racine, such as "Phèdre," are classics of French literature.

Advanced Usage

• "Racinian" (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of the works or style of Jean Racine.
  • The actor delivered a powerfully Racinian performance, full of restrained passion.

Variants and Related Words

• Racinian (adj): Of or relating to the dramatist Jean Racine or his works.
• Jansenism (n): A Christian theological movement, emphasizing original sin and predestination, with which Jean Racine was associated.

Synonyms

• (For the city): None (as a proper noun for a specific place).
• (For the playwright): Dramatist, tragedian, playwright.

Notes on Meaning

This word is a proper noun with two distinct primary referents: a geographic location in the United States and a historical figure from French literature. The context of the sentence will always indicate which meaning is intended.

Noun

1. a city in southeastern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan to the south of Milwaukee
2. French advocate of Jansenism; tragedian who based his works on Greek and Roman themes (1639-1699)