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potlatch

/ˈpɒtlætʃ/ /ˈpɑtˌlætʃ/

Meanings
noun
A ceremony amongst certain indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest in which gifts are bestowed upon guests and personal property is destroyed in a show of generosity and wealth.

Examples :

"The family held a large potlatch to celebrate their daughter's graduation, giving away valuable blankets and carvings to everyone who attended. "
culture ritual tradition society history

Related Words

Illustration ancestors

ancestors noun

/ˈæn.sɛs.təz/ /ˈæn.sɛs.tɚz/

One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather.

"My ancestors came from Ireland during the potato famine. "

Illustration neighborhood

neighborhood noun

/ˈneɪbə.hʊd/ /ˈneɪbɚˌhʊd/

The quality of being a neighbor, of living nearby, next to each-other; proximity.

"Our neighborhood was our only reason to exchange hollow greetings."

Illustration celebrate

celebrate verb

/ˈsɛl.ə.bɹeɪt/

To extol or honour in a solemn manner.

"to celebrate the name of the Most High"

Illustration especially

especially adverb

/əˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

(manner) In a special manner; specially.

"My sister is very helpful, especially when it comes to organizing things. "

Illustration community

community noun

/k(ə)ˈmjunəti/ /kəˈmjuːnɪti/

A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.

"The school community celebrated the end-of-year festival together. "

Illustration celebration

celebration noun

/ˌsɛlɪˈbɹeiʃən/

The formal performance of a solemn rite, such as Christian sacrament.

"The church held a celebration of the Eucharist, a Christian sacrament. "

Illustration generosity

generosity noun

/ˌd͡ʒɛnəˈɹɒsɪti/ /ˌd͡ʒɛnəˈɹɑsəti/

The trait of being willing to donate money, time or resources.

"The teacher's generosity was evident in her willingness to donate extra time to help struggling students. "

Illustration northwest

northwest noun

/ˌnɔrθˈwɛst/ /ˌnɔːθˈwɛst/

The compass point halfway between north and west, bearing 315°, abbreviated as NW.

"The school field trip will be to the northwest corner of the park. "

Illustration ceremony

ceremony noun

/ˈsɛɹɪməni/ /ˈsɛɹəmoʊni/

A ritual, with religious or cultural significance.

"The graduation ceremony was a significant event for all the students. "

Illustration indigenous

indigenous adjective

/ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/ /ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/

Born or originating in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion.

"The Australian Aboriginal people are the indigenous inhabitants of the continent. "

Illustration graduation

graduation noun

/ˌɡɹædʒuˈeɪʃən/

The action or process of graduating and receiving a diploma for completing a course of study (such as from an educational institution).

"After years of hard work, Maria's graduation from university was a joyful celebration. "

Illustration destroyed

destroyed verb

/dɪˈstɹɔɪd/

To damage beyond use or repair.

"Hooligans destroy unprovoked."