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Domesticate: meaning, definitions and examples

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domesticate

 

[ dəˈmɛstɪˌkeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

keep animals as pets or on a farm

To domesticate means to train animals to live with and work for humans. This process involves taming wild animals, such as wolves or horses, and adapting them to human environments. Domestication has been a key factor in the development of agriculture and civilization.

Synonyms

cultivate, tame, train.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
domesticate

Used when referring to the process of adapting wild animals or plants for human use or companionship.

  • Humans began to domesticate dogs over 15,000 years ago.
  • Farmers domesticate plants to create more reliable food sources.
tame

Refers to making an animal less wild or dangerous, often for ease of handling. It can imply a sense of control or dominance.

  • The lion tamer worked hard to tame the wild cats for the circus act.
  • It took several months to tame the wild horse.
train

Usually used to describe teaching animals or people specific skills or behavior through practice and instruction.

  • She trained her dog to fetch and sit on command.
  • The coach trained the athletes for the upcoming competition.
cultivate

Commonly used when talking about growing and caring for plants or fostering a skill or quality.

  • She decided to cultivate her garden with various herbs and flowers.
  • He worked hard to cultivate a positive attitude in his team.

Examples of usage

  • We have successfully domesticated dogs for thousands of years.
  • People first domesticated cattle for their milk and meat.
  • The process of domesticating wild animals is a complex and gradual one.
Context #2 | Verb

adapt something for human use

To domesticate can also refer to the process of adapting something for human use. This could include plants, technologies, or even behaviors. The goal is to make these things more suitable or beneficial for human purposes.

Synonyms

adapt, customize, modify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
domesticate

Use this when talking about taming animals or plants for human use. It's usually related to long-term processes involving selective breeding.

  • Humans have domesticated dogs for thousands of years.
  • Rice was one of the first crops to be domesticated.
adapt

This word is suitable for describing changes to fit new conditions or environments. It can be used in various contexts, including biological, social, and technological.

  • Animals in the Arctic have adapted to survive in freezing temperatures.
  • She had to adapt to the new working conditions quickly.
modify

Use this when implying making partial changes to something. It is often used in both technical and everyday contexts.

  • The recipe can be modified to suit different dietary requirements.
  • Engineers had to modify the design to improve its efficiency.
customize

This is used when modifying something to suit personal preferences or needs. It's often applied to products, services, or software.

  • You can customize your smartphone settings according to your preferences.
  • The car company offers various options to customize your vehicle.

Examples of usage

  • Farmers have domesticated various crops over generations for better yields.
  • The company aims to domesticate the latest technology for consumer use.
  • Domesticating new software can improve efficiency in the workplace.

Translations

Translations of the word "domesticate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 domesticar

🇮🇳 पालतू बनाना

🇩🇪 domestizieren

🇮🇩 menjinakkan

🇺🇦 одомашнювати

🇵🇱 udomowić

🇯🇵 飼い慣らす

🇫🇷 domestiquer

🇪🇸 domesticar

🇹🇷 evcilleştirmek

🇰🇷 길들이다

🇸🇦 تدجين

🇨🇿 zdomácnit

🇸🇰 domestikovať

🇨🇳 驯化

🇸🇮 udomačiti

🇮🇸 temja

🇰🇿 үйрету

🇬🇪 მოშინაურება

🇦🇿 əhliləşdirmək

🇲🇽 domesticar

Etymology

The word 'domesticate' originated from the Latin word 'domesticus', which means 'belonging to the household'. The concept of domestication has been crucial in the development of human societies, allowing for the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The process of domesticating animals and plants has shaped our world and continues to play a significant role in food production and companionship.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,503 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.