Lineage
/ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ/
nounB2
Definition
Lineage is the series of family members who come before you, going back many years. It tells about your family’s origins and where you belong in your family tree. People often use it to understand their background or heritage (family history).
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See It in Action
The line of ancestors in a family
- •She is proud of her royal lineage.
- •The family traced their lineage back to the 1600s.
- •Lineage is important in some cultures for inheritance rights.
A group of people descended from a common ancestor
- •The tribe's lineage was well-known in the region.
- •People from the same lineage often share similar traditions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "lineage" like "family" but more about your family’s history over many years, not just the people now
- ✓Picture a long line of people holding hands, starting from your great-grandparents down to you
- ✓It’s the feeling when you learn about your family’s story and feel connected to your past
- ✓Sounds like "LIN-ee-ij" → imagine a line (LIN) of people passing a story from one to the next (like a message chain)
- ✓Think of a family tree on paper, with branches showing your parents, grandparents, and their parents
- ✓NOT like "friend" (people you choose), lineage is about people you are born from, your blood family
- ✓NOT like "history" (which is about all events), lineage is specifically about family connections over time
Try Other Words
- •Ancestry: the origin of your family, where your family comes from (Use when talking about your background or roots)
- •Heritage: something passed down from your family or culture (Use when focusing on traditions or culture, not just people)
- •Descendants: people who come after you in your family line (Use when talking about future family members)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "line" + "-age" (a suffix meaning related to or collection of)
- •Etymology: From Old French "lignage," from Latin "linea" meaning "line," referring to a line of descent
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe a line or series, then came to mean family descent or ancestry
- •Modern usage: Used in genealogy, history, and culture to talk about family origin and blood relations
Reflect & Connect
•How does knowing your lineage help you understand who you are today?
•Can someone have a strong identity without knowing their full lineage? Why or why not?
Fill in the blanks
1.People often research their lineage to learn about their ___ and family history.
2.Lineage usually shows a ___ of ancestors, not just one or two generations.
3.Unlike a family photo, lineage is about the ___ connections between people over time.
4.When someone talks about royal lineage, they mean their family has ___ from kings or queens.
5.Lineage is different from friendship because it is based on ___, not choice.
6.You can trace your lineage by looking at records like birth certificates and ___.
7.Some cultures place great importance on lineage to determine ___ or social status.