posterity

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling for "posterity"

The IPA pronunciation of "posterity" depends on whether you're using British or American English. Here's a breakdown for both:

British English:

• IPA: /pɒˈstɛɹɪti/

• Breakdown:

• pos- /pɒ/: "o" with a rounded back vowel sound as in "pot"

• -ter- /ˈstɛ/: "e" like a short "e" sound in "bed"

• -i- /ɹ/: alveolar tap consonant, similar to a quick "d" sound

• -ty /ɪti/: "i" like a short "i" sound in "bit" followed by "t" and "ee" sound

American English:

• IPA: /pɑˈsterɪti/ (or /poʊˈsterɪti/)

• Breakdown:

• pos- /pɑ/: "o" with a more open back vowel sound than British English, closer to "awe"

• -ter- /ˈstɛ/: same as British English

• -i- /ɹ/: same as British English

• -ty /ɪti/: same as British English

Note:

• The second possible American English pronunciation /poʊˈsterɪti/ uses a diphthong sound /oʊ/ for "o" like in "bone". This is less common than the first version.

Word Form Variations

"Posterity" is primarily a singular noun. It refers to all future generations collectively, not one specific descendant.

There is a very rare plural form, "posterities", but it's almost never used in modern English. It would only be used if you were specifically referring to the future generations of multiple distinct lineages. For all general purposes, "posterity" functions as a singular noun.

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Posterity (Noun)

Definition 1:

• All future generations of people collectively.

• Synonyms: descendants, successors, future generations, offspring (informal)

• Antonyms: ancestors, predecessors, forbears (formal)

Definition 2 (Less Common):

• The descendants of a specific person or lineage. (This meaning is rarely used in modern English)

• Synonyms: lineage, progeny (formal)

• Antonyms: (no direct antonym, but the concept is opposed to "ancestors")

Examples of Use

• 1. Literature:

  • "To be or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep— / No more; and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to—'tis a consummation / Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep; / To sleep: perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub; / For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause: there's the respect / That makes calamity of so long life; / For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, / The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, / The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, / The insolence of office, and the spurns / That patient merit of the unworthy takes, / When he himself might his quietus make / With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear, / To grunt and sweat under a weary life, / But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country from whose bourn / No traveller returns, puzzles the will, / And makes us rather bear those ills we have / Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; / And thus the native hue of resolution / Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, / And enterprise of great pith and moment / With this regard their currents turn awry, / And lose the name of action." (Hamlet's famous soliloquy in Shakespeare's Hamlet, contemplating the meaning of life and death in relation to future generations)

  2. Newspaper:

  • "The discovery of a new, potentially habitable planet has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike. Some believe it could be humanity's backup plan, ensuring our survival even if Earth becomes uninhabitable. Others worry about the ethical implications of colonizing another world. Regardless, the discovery has sparked conversations about our place in the universe and the future of humanity for posterity." ( Hypothetical news article)

  3. Online Publication:

  • "The debate over the preservation of digital data rages on. With technology changing so rapidly, how can we ensure that future generations can access the information we create today? Archiving digital data is a complex challenge, but it's crucial if we want to leave a historical record for posterity." (Blog post on digital preservation)

  4. Entertainment Medium (Movie):

  • In the movie Interstellar, a team of astronauts travels through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. The film explores themes of sacrifice, legacy, and the importance of ensuring the survival of the human race for future generations.

  5. General Public Discourse:

  • "We should be thinking about the long-term impact of our actions. What kind of world are we leaving behind for posterity?" (Public speaker discussing environmental issues)

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Posterity

1. "Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it." - John Adams (Note: Though the exact wording is debated, the sentiment of fighting for the future is captured)

2. "The things that matter most in public life are not the momentary struggles of the day—they are the things that will affect the conditions of the coming generations." - Theodore Roosevelt

3. "A man's true wealth is not the gold he has accumulated, but the good he has done to humanity." - Andrew Carnegie (Though "posterity" isn't directly used, the concept of leaving a positive impact for future generations is)

4. "I do not write for fame or for money or for posterity. I write for the self-satisfaction of the moment." - Somerset Maugham

5. "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." - Gaius Julius Pliny the Elder

6. "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary (Though not directly about posterity, it speaks to the idea of inspiring future generations through achievement)

7. "Leave the world a little better than you found it." - Robert Baden-Powell (Similar to quote #5, emphasises positive impact for the future)

8. "The true purpose of education is to teach you to think critically and independently. It is to equip you with the tools to solve problems and make informed decisions." - A.D. Coleman (Similar to quote #2, highlights the importance of preparing future generations)

9. "We shall leave our mark on the world. We shall rock the world." - John Lennon (Though not about future generations specifically, it captures the idea of creating a lasting impact) .

10.  "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay (Though not about posterity directly, it emphasises shaping the future for coming generations)

Etymology

The word "posterity" is like a family tree turned upside down! Here's the breakdown:

• Origin: The word comes from Latin, where "posterus" means "coming after."

• First Use: It showed up in English around the 14th century, most likely borrowed from French, which also has a word "posterité" with the same meaning.

• Original Meaning: Back then, it simply meant "descendants," like your children, grandchildren, and so on.

Over time, the meaning of "posterity" broadened to encompass all future generations, not just your own family line. It's like a big umbrella that covers everyone who will come after us.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Posterity

• For posterity's sake: This means to do something because you want it to be remembered by future generations. (e.g., "We documented the entire trip for posterity's sake.")

• To stand the test of time: This means something is of such high quality or importance that it will be remembered and valued by future generations. (e.g., "This building was designed to stand the test of time.")

• To etch one's name in history: This means to do something so significant that it will be remembered forever. (e.g., "He hoped his discovery would etch his name in history.")

• To be consigned to oblivion: This means to be forgotten by history. (e.g., "Without proper documentation, these events could be consigned to oblivion.")

• To leave a legacy: This means to leave something of lasting value for future generations. (e.g., "She wanted to leave a legacy of environmental protection.")

Posts Related to Posterity

Source Information

Definition of posterity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.