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ancestor worship

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noun Anthropology.

(in certain societies) the veneration of ancestors whose spirits are frequently held to possess the power to influence the affairs of the living.

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third eye Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.

English Words From The Pharaohs Most people recognize Ancient Greek and Latin as the primary donors to the English language. However, some of the most ancient words in English actually trace back to Ancient Egypt.

Nearby words

Origin of ancestor worship

First recorded in 1850–55

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ancestor worship

In primitive Japan, as in every other primitive human society, ancestor-worship was the first form of belief.
The Japanese Spirit|Yoshisaburo Okakura
This ancestor-worship is what gave the element of sanctity to the home.
The home|Charlotte Perkins Gilman
There were lingering traces of ancestor-worship, and perhaps of fire-worship also.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 6|Various
The State religion, which was Confucianism, was ancestor-worship.
Myths and Legends of China|E. T. C. Werner

The key to the Melanesian system of government is Ancestor-worship.
The Fijians|Basil Thomson