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Tracing the paths of "forefather" vs "ancestor"
Anwar Kareem 04/11/2024, 15:24
What is similar?
Both "forefather" and "ancestor" refer to individuals from whom a person is descended.
What is different?
The word "forefather" often implies a more direct, typically male lineage and is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to founders or originators of movements or traditions, especially in historical contexts. "Ancestor," on the other hand, is a more general term that refers to any person from whom an individual descends and can apply to any gender and a broader historical context.
Which one is more common?
Examples of usage
Forefather- He is considered one of the forefathers of modern science.
- Our forefathers fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
- She traced her family history back to an ancestor who lived in the 1600s.
- The fossils belong to an ancient ancestor of the modern elephant.
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