ritualization

[ rich-oo-uh-luh-zey-shuhn ]

/ ˌrɪtʃ u ə ləˈzeɪ ʃən /

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noun

Ethology. the alteration of a behavior pattern, as by a change in intensity, in a way that increases its effectiveness as a signal to other members of the species.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“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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false

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Origin of ritualization

First recorded in 1930–35; ritualize + -ation

Words nearby ritualization

ritual, ritual bath, ritualism, ritualist, ritualistic, ritualization, ritualize, ritual murder, Rituxan, rituximab, ritz