Anthropology
Definitions and Samples
1. assimilate v. To consume and incorporate; to become similar
Not all of the overseas students could assimilate into the rigidly
controlled school.
Usage tips Assimilate is often followed by into.
Parts of speech assimilation n
2. cremation n. The act of burning the dead
Cremation is particularly common in Japan, where land for burial is
very limited.
Parts of speech cremate v
3. domesticate v. To make something suitable for being in a home
The Barnes family hoped to domesticate the tiger, but their neighbors
were skeptical.
Usage tips The object of domesticate is usually a plant or animal.
Parts of speech domestic adj
4. folklore n. Traditional myths of a people transmitted orally
Through folklore, archaeologists have learned about the migration
of Native Americans in North America.
Parts of speech folkloric adj
5. fossilize v. To become preserved in clay or stone or ash after death, so
that a natural record is left of the original organism; to become rigid
and stuck in old ways
The dinosaur eggs had fossilized over thousands of years.
Parts of speech fossilization n, fossil n
6. relic n. Something left from a long-ago culture, time period, or person
Relics of the war can still be found in the sand dunes along this
shore.
7. rite n. A ceremony meant to achieve a certain purpose
Many cultures have fertility rites that supposedly make it more
likely for women to bear children.
8. ritually adv. As part of a traditional ceremony or habit
The children ritually kissed their parents on the cheek before bed.
Parts of speech ritual n, ritual adj
9. saga n. A long story about important events long ago
Many American families tell sagas about their ancestors’ arrival in
the United States.
10. vestige n. A visible trace that something once existed
The wilted flowers were the only vestige of their romantic weekend.
68 Society