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pemmican

[ pem-i-kuhn ] [ ˈpɛm ɪ kən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

dried meat pounded into a powder and mixed with fat and dried fruits

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Why Dictionary.com chose pemmican

More about pemmican

  • First recorded in 1735–45.
  • Originally made by some Indigenous peoples of North America.
  • Borrowed from the Cree pimihkān, meaning “to make pemmican,” or literally “to make grease.”

EXAMPLES OF PEMMICAN

  • Native American tribes traditionally made pemmican by mixing dried bison meat with fat and berries for long-lasting nourishment.
  • The recipe for pemmican has been passed down through generations, valued for its nutritional benefits.
20240103
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Word of the day

ethnocentric

[ eth-noh-sen-trik ] [ ˌɛθ noʊˈsɛn trɪk ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

demonstrating a belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture

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Why Dictionary.com chose ethnocentric

More about ethnocentric

  • First recorded in the 1860s; combines ethno- + -centric.
  • Originated as a technical term in social sciences.

EXAMPLES OF ETHNOCENTRIC

  • The student’s ethnocentric views limited his understanding of global issues.
  • The curriculum was revised to address its ethnocentric bias, ensuring it represented a broader range of cultural viewpoints.
20240103
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Word of the day

guidon

[ gahyd-n ] [ ˈgaɪd n ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a small flag or streamer carried as a guide

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Why Dictionary.com chose guidon

More about guidon

  • First recorded in 1540–50.
  • Borrowed directly from French; equivalent to the Italian guid(are), “to guide” + -one, noun suffix.

EXAMPLES OF GUIDON

  • The soldiers rallied around their unit’s guidon during the parade.
  • The guidon fluttered wildly in the wind as the captain carried it.
20240103
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