rites of passage

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Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, and death. Rites of passage usually involve ritual activities and teachings designed to strip individuals of their original roles and prepare them for new roles. The traditional American wedding ceremony is such a rite of passage. In many so-called primitive societies, some of the most complex rites of passage occur at puberty, when boys and girls are initiated into the adult world. In some ceremonies, the initiates are removed from their village and may undergo physical mutilation before returning as adults.

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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notes for rites of passage

Rites of passage generally affirm community solidarity, especially in times of change or crisis.

Words nearby rites of passage

rite, rite de passage, ritenuto, rite of intensification, rite of passage, rites of passage, ritonavir, ritornello, Ritschlian, ritter, Ritter's disease

How to use rites of passage in a sentence

She fails to appreciate the congressional and constitutional obstacles Johnson had to overcome to win passage of the bill.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One of the rites of passage for every young political reporter is to listen to the elders tell stories about campaigns past.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Going to The Ball, signing up for JDate, downloading JSwipe are all modern-day rites of passage.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for Shots|Emily Shire|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We happily hoist our egg nog in the air, embrace each other, and raise our out-of-tune voices in song.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Henry Hudson sailed from Gravesend on his first voyage for the discovery of a northwest passage to India.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
That he discovered two staples upon one side, which was all of boards, without any passage for light.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
She heard through the half-open door Mr. Orgreave's slippers on the tiles of the passage leading to the stairs.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
This work is now lost, and we know it only by the abstract given by Photius in the passage quoted.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Capt. Ross sailed from Shetland, on his first voyage for the discovery of the north-west passage.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell