posterity
posterity
Pronunciation
/pɒˈster.ə.ti/
pos: /pɒ/ - The "p" is a voiceless bilabial stop. The "o" is a short, open back unrounded vowel (like the "o" in "hot").
ter: /ˈster/ - The "st" is a consonant cluster. The "e" is a stressed mid-central vowel (schwa). The "r" is an alveolar approximant.
i: /ə/ - This is a reduced vowel sound, a schwa.
ty: /ti/ - The "t" is a voiceless alveolar stop. The "y" represents an unstressed high front vowel.
Word Form Variations
"Posterity" itself is already an uncountable noun, referring to all future generations. Therefore, it doesn't have singular or plural forms in the traditional sense. You wouldn't say "a posterity" or "posterities."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: All future generations of people.
Synonyms: Future generations, descendants, offspring, successors, those who come after, the coming ages, time to come.
Antonyms: Ancestors, predecessors, the past, previous generations.
Example: "The museum carefully preserves artifacts for posterity."
Definition 2: (Less common, often found in legal contexts) The descendants or lineage of a specific person or group.
Synonyms: Lineage, descendants, issue, offspring, progeny, family, heirs.
Antonyms: N/A (This definition focuses on a specific line, not future generations in general, making direct antonyms less applicable).
Example: "The inheritance was designated for his posterity."
Examples of Use
Books:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great-Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world." (The Declaration of Independence, 1776 - This uses "posterity" implicitly by addressing future generations.)
"He who plants a tree plants hope. He who plants a tree plants a love. He who plants trees for posterity." (Lucy Larcom - This is a famous quote highlighting the long-term impact of planting trees.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The museum is digitizing its archives to preserve them for posterity." (Example of a common usage in news articles about preservation efforts.)
"Historians will debate the decisions made by this administration for posterity." (Example of usage in political commentary.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In many historical dramas or documentaries, characters might express concern about their legacy and how they will be remembered by posterity. (This is a common trope in stories about historical figures.)
Video games with historical settings often use the concept of "posterity" in their narratives, particularly when dealing with building civilizations or empires.
General Public Discourse:
"We must act now to address climate change for the sake of posterity." (This is a common argument used in discussions about environmental issues.)
"It's important to teach our children about history so they can learn from the past and build a better future for posterity." (This highlights the importance of education for future generations.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Posterity
“Great decisions are made with posterity in mind, not applause.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said character is proven when you choose what benefits posterity, not convenience.” (Unknown)
“History remembers leaders who acted for posterity, not popularity.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that love shapes posterity through every kindness given today.” (Unknown)
“Revolutions succeed when they prioritize posterity over immediate victory.” (Unknown)
“Wisdom grows when we consider how our choices echo into posterity.” (Unknown)
“True legacy is built when integrity guides what we leave to posterity.” (Unknown)
“Hope survives when we plant seeds for posterity, even if we never see them bloom.” (Unknown)
“A community thrives when its vision extends toward posterity.” (Unknown)
“Success becomes meaningful only when shared with posterity.” (Unknown)
Etymology
"Posterity" comes from the Latin word posteritas, which means "future time" or "those who come after." Think of it like this: post means "after" (like in "post-game" or "post-graduate"), and posterus means "coming after." So, posteritas is about the time after the present and the people who will be after us.
The word entered the English language around the late 14th century. Its first known uses were indeed about future generations, just like it means today. It was used in legal documents and philosophical writings to refer to descendants and the general concept of all the people who would live after the current generation. So, even from its earliest days in English, "posterity" has been tied to the idea of those who will inherit the world we leave behind.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Posterity
Phrases (not idioms, but common usages):
For posterity: This is the most common usage. It means "for the benefit of future generations" or "so that future generations will know/remember." Example: "These records are being preserved for posterity."
To posterity: Similar to "for posterity," but sometimes with a more direct sense of giving something to future generations. Example: "The artist dedicated his work to posterity."
Future generations/For the sake of future generations: These are more common and natural-sounding ways to express the same idea as "for posterity."
Phrases using synonyms or related concepts:
Since "posterity" is about future generations, we can look at idioms related to that concept:
Leave a legacy: This idiom captures the idea of doing something that will be remembered by future generations.
Make one's mark (on the world): Similar to leaving a legacy, this refers to having a lasting impact.
Stand the test of time: This describes something that remains valuable or important across generations.
Build for the future: This phrase, while not an idiom, expresses the idea of doing things with future generations in mind.
Original phrases (to illustrate the concept):
"Whispers for posterity": Suggests leaving behind subtle or indirect messages for future generations to discover.
"The long gaze of posterity": Implies that future generations will scrutinize and judge the present.
"Seeds sown for posterity": Refers to actions taken now that will have long-term consequences.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of posterity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
