Historical Controversies

noun a person who eats the flesh of other human beings

adjective relating to or characteristic of a cannibal

• The anthropologist studied the cultural practices of a tribe known to have cannibalistic rituals.
• I heard a crazy story about a cannibal living in the woods.
• That guy is a total cannibal, always taking food off other people's plates.
• In the cutthroat world of business, some would say he is a cannibal, always trying to take down his competition.

noun a disagreement or debate

verb to engage in argument or debate about something

adjective subject to disagreement or debate

• The ownership of the land is disputed between the two parties.
• There's a big dispute going on about who owns that piece of land.
• They're arguing over who really has claim to that land.
• The characters in the novel disputed over the true meaning of the author's words.

noun the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the human race by selective breeding

• The study of eugenics aims to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding.
• Some people believe that eugenics is a controversial topic that should not be discussed openly.
• I heard that eugenics is all about trying to create a 'perfect' human race.
• In the world of fashion, there seems to be a form of eugenics where only the 'ideal' body types are celebrated.

adjective adjective - relating to something unpleasant or sordid

• The seamy side of the city was often hidden from tourists.
• I heard some seamy stories about that place, you might want to be careful.
• I can't believe the seamy stuff that goes on in this neighborhood.
• The seamy underbelly of society is often overlooked by those in power.

noun a person who holds a neutral position on controversial issues

• The adiaphorist theologian argued that certain religious practices were neither commanded nor forbidden by scripture.
• The adiaphorist scholar believes that some traditions are neither right nor wrong.
• The adiaphorist dude thinks some rules are just meh.
• Being an adiaphorist in life means being indifferent to trivial matters.