Cultural Anthropology Vocabulary

noun a social science that involves the analysis of human behavior and society

• Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures.
• I find anthropology fascinating because it helps us understand different cultures.
• Anthropology is like studying humans but on a whole other level.
• In the anthropology of social media, we analyze the behavior of online communities.

noun a person who searches along a beach for items of value or interest

• The beachcomber spent hours searching for seashells along the shore.
• The beachcomber likes to collect cool stuff they find at the beach.
• The beachcomber is always on the hunt for beach treasures.
• As a beachcomber of life, he sought out hidden gems in every situation.

noun a social class or system based on differences of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, occupation, or race

• The Indian society is traditionally divided into different social groups based on caste.
• In some communities, people still follow the caste system when it comes to marriage.
• I can't believe she judged him based on his caste, that's so outdated.
• The caste of actors in the movie was carefully chosen to ensure a successful performance.

noun the act or process of reducing something to ashes through burning

• The cineration process is carefully monitored to ensure complete combustion of the remains.
• They're planning to have a cineration ceremony for their loved one.
• I heard they're having a cineration party for their pet.
• The intense heat of the argument felt like a cineration of their friendship.

noun the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group

• The study of different cultures is known as anthropology.
• I love learning about different cultures through travel.
• That movie really captures the vibe of youth culture.
• In order to thrive, a company must have a strong culture of innovation.

noun traditions or practices that are common within a particular society or group

• The customs of this country dictate that guests remove their shoes before entering a home.
• In our family, it's just a customs to always have a big Sunday dinner together.
• I don't follow all the customs of my parents, I like to do my own thing.
• Learning a new language can be like navigating through a maze of unfamiliar customs.

noun a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group

• The linguist studied the regional dialects spoken in different parts of the country.
• I love hearing my grandmother speak in her old dialect, it's so unique.
• Some people find it hard to understand the dialect spoken in certain rural areas.
• The dialect of jazz music is a language all its own, full of improvisation and soul.

noun a person who is excessively devoted to something or someone

• The idolater was devoted to worshiping multiple gods.
• I heard that guy is a total idolater, always praying to his idols.
• Don't be such an idolater, it's just a silly superstition.
• She was an idolater when it came to her favorite celebrity, always following their every move.

noun a group or category to which people feel they belong or are included in

adjective pertaining to or characteristic of a particular group to which people feel they belong

• Members of the ingroup were more likely to support the proposed policy changes.
• We should stick together as an ingroup to achieve our goals.
• The ingroup is always down for a good time.
• The ingroup acts as a shield against outside criticism.

noun a person or animal that lives in or occupies a place

• The government conducted a census to determine the exact number of inhabitants in the city.
• Do you know how many inhabitants live in that neighborhood?
• The inhabitants of this town are really chill.
• As an inhabitant of the digital world, he spends most of his time online.

noun the state of being alive

verb the present participle of the verb 'live'

adjective having life; being alive

• The concept of sustainable living is gaining popularity among urban dwellers.
• I love living in this neighborhood because it's so peaceful.
• I'm living my best life right now, nothing can bring me down.
• She was living in fear of the unknown, unable to move forward.

noun a person born in a particular place or country

adjective belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

• The native language of the country is taught in all schools.
• I love exploring the native cuisine of different countries.
• She's a true native when it comes to surfing, always catching the best waves.
• The artist's native talent shines through in every brushstroke.

noun a member of a people having no permanent abode, and who travel from place to place to find fresh pasture for their livestock or work opportunities

adjective relating to or characteristic of nomads or their way of life

• The nomad traveled from place to place in search of new opportunities.
• The nomad is always on the move, never staying in one place for too long.
• That nomad dude is a real wanderer, always exploring new places.
• Her mind was like a nomad, constantly wandering and never settling on one thought for too long.

noun a social group with which an individual does not identify

• The study aimed to analyze the dynamics of interactions between the in group and the out group.
• They don't really hang out with people from the out group.
• I heard they're not cool with the out group.
• In the game of politics, it's important to know how to navigate relationships with the out group.

noun a religious or other solemn ceremony or act

adjective relating to a ceremonial act or observance

• The wedding ceremony included a traditional rite that dates back centuries.
• The graduation rite at our school is always a fun and memorable event.
• I can't believe we have to go through the whole rite of getting our driver's licenses renewed every few years.
• In some cultures, the act of brewing tea is considered a sacred rite that symbolizes hospitality and respect.

noun A branch of science that deals with human behavior in its social and cultural aspects

• The study of human society and social relationships falls under the umbrella of social science.
• Social science is all about understanding how people interact with each other in society.
• I'm taking a class on social science this semester, it's pretty interesting stuff.
• Exploring the complexities of human behavior is like delving into the depths of social science.

noun the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought

• The cultural syncretism observed in the region is a result of centuries of interaction between different ethnic groups.
• The festival is a great example of syncretism, with a mix of traditional and modern elements.
• I love how this artist's music is a syncretism of different genres, it's so unique!
• The painting symbolizes the syncretism of nature and technology in our society.

noun a member of a tribe, especially in a traditional society

• The tribesman was well-respected within his community for his leadership skills.
• The tribesman knew the forest like the back of his hand.
• That tribesman is always up for a good adventure.
• He was a tribesman of the city, navigating the urban landscape with ease.

adjective relating to an aversion to the home, house, or family

• The scholar argued that the oikophobic tendencies in modern society are leading to a loss of community values.
• She's always avoiding family gatherings, claiming she's oikophobic.
• I can't stand being at home with my parents, I must be oikophobic or something.
• His fear of settling down and starting a family can be seen as oikophobic behavior.

noun a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor, typically by the addition of a prefix or suffix

• In some cultures, a person's surname is derived from their father's patronymic.
• I found out that my friend's last name is actually a patronymic.
• I never realized that our teacher's last name is a patronymic.
• The company's success was like a patronymic, passed down from generation to generation.

adjective relating to or characteristic of the Mormon religion or its followers

• The scholar conducted a study on the Mormonistic beliefs of the community.
• She was curious about the Mormonistic traditions of her new neighbors.
• I heard they have some pretty strict Mormonistic rules in that household.
• The company's corporate culture was described as Mormonistic in its adherence to certain principles.

noun a member or adherent of Hasidism

adjective relating to or characteristic of Hasidism, a Jewish religious movement

• The Hasidic community in Brooklyn is known for their devout religious practices.
• My neighbor is Hasidic and always invites me to their holiday celebrations.
• I heard there's a new Hasidic deli opening up downtown.
• The Hasidic tradition of kindness and charity is something we can all learn from.

noun a type of plant with small yellow flowers and aromatic leaves

• The tanling process involves carefully pruning and shaping the branches of the tree.
• I can't wait to start tanling my garden this weekend.
• My neighbor is a pro at tanling, she makes her garden look amazing.
• The artist's skillful use of light and shadow created a beautiful tanling effect in the painting.

noun a person who studies and writes about different cultures and societies

• The ethnographer conducted extensive fieldwork to study the cultural practices of the indigenous tribe.
• The ethnographer spent months living with the community to learn about their way of life.
• The ethnographer was totally immersed in the local culture, dude.
• The ethnographer peeled back the layers of tradition to uncover the essence of the society.

noun a branch of knowledge or field of study focused on India

• Indology is a field of study that focuses on the history, culture, and languages of the Indian subcontinent.
• Studying Indology can give you a deeper understanding of India's rich heritage.
• Indology is like diving into the fascinating world of all things Indian.
• Exploring Indology is like unraveling the intricate tapestry of Indian civilization.

noun afernan - a person's name or a proper noun

• The scientist afernaned the data to ensure accuracy in the research findings.
• I always afernan the measurements twice just to be sure.
• Yo, don't forget to afernan the numbers before submitting the report.
• She carefully afernaned her words before speaking, mindful of their impact.

noun a sudden rush or flood of emotion or inspiration

• The afflation of new members into the organization brought fresh perspectives and ideas.
• The afflation of new students into our class made it more lively and fun.
• I heard there's gonna be an afflation of cool people at the party tonight.
• The afflation of creativity and inspiration in the room was palpable during the brainstorming session.