culture etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "culture" is derived from the Latin word "colere," which means "to cultivate" or "to till the soil." It refers to the social, material, intellectual, and spiritual development of a society or group of people.

The term "culture" is often used in anthropology to describe the shared beliefs, values, practices, and artifacts that define a particular society. It encompasses all aspects of human activity, including language, religion, art, music, literature, food, clothing, and technology.

Origin

The concept of culture has been around for centuries. In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle wrote about the importance of education and the cultivation of the mind. However, it was not until the 19th century that the term "culture" began to be used in its modern sense to describe the totality of human development.

Anthropological Perspective

In anthropology, culture is seen as a dynamic and constantly evolving phenomenon. It is transmitted through generations through socialization and education, and it shapes the way people think, feel, and act. Culture can be both a source of unity and diversity within a society, and it can also be a source of conflict and change.

Contemporary Usage

Today, the term "culture" is used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • High culture: Refers to the refined and elite aspects of a society's culture, such as art, music, and literature.
  • Popular culture: Refers to the mass-produced and widely consumed aspects of a society's culture, such as television, movies, and music.
  • Corporate culture: Refers to the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a particular organization or company.
  • National culture: Refers to the cultural characteristics that are shared by a nation's citizens.
  • Intercultural communication: Focuses on the challenges and opportunities of communication between people from different cultural backgrounds.

culture relate terms

  • colony

    Etymology The word colony is derived from the Latin word colonia which means settle

  • kultur

    Etymology The word kultur derives from the following sources Latin cultura from

  • culture

    Etymology and Meaning The word culture is derived from the Latin word colere which m

  • agriculture

    Etymology Latin agricultura Agriculture Latin ager field Latin cultura cultiva

  • Polish

    Etymology The word Polish is derived from the Latin word Polonia plural Poloni

  • refinement

    Etymology French refinement Late Latin raffinatio Latin raffinare to make pure Pr

  • cultural

    Cultural Etymology Cultural etymology refers to the study of the origin and history of wo

  • Tocharian

    Etymology The name Tocharian is derived from the ancient Chinese name for the region wh

  • cultivation

    Etymology From Middle English cultivacioun from Anglo Norman French cultivation from

  • attitude

    Etymology Medieval Latin aptitudo natural fitness suitability Latin aptus fit

  • meme

    Etymology The word meme is derived from the Greek word mimema μίμημα which m