Taming Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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taming

[หˆteษช.mษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

animals control

Taming refers to the process of training a wild animal to be compliant and less fearful of humans. This often involves establishing trust and teaching the animal to respond to commands. The objective of taming is to make wild animals more manageable, which can be beneficial for domestication or companionship. Taming does not change the animal's inherent instincts, but it does modify its behavior to some extent.

Synonyms

civilizing, domestication, gentling, training.

Examples of usage

  • The zookeeper is taming a lion for educational purposes.
  • Farmers often have to tame wild horses before using them for work.
  • She has a special talent for taming various species of birds.
  • Taming a puppy requires patience and consistent training.
  • The documentary showcased experts taming exotic animals.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Taming differs from domestication; the former involves individual training, while the latter involves breeding over generations.
  • Certain species, like dogs and cats, are more easily tamed due to their natural traits and social behavior with humans.

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew', taming is portrayed as a complex social dynamic between men and women.
  • Many fables and stories highlight the theme of taming animals, often representing control over primal instincts.

Psychology

  • The concept of taming can also apply to emotions; for example, learning to manage anger or fear is often described as 'taming' one's feelings.
  • Taming is often associated with building trust, which is essential in relationships, whether with humans or animals.

Pop Culture

  • Films like 'The Lion King' and 'How to Train Your Dragon' explore the theme of taming wild animals and fostering friendship.
  • Video games often incorporate taming mechanics, allowing players to befriend and control creatures during gameplay.

Origin of 'taming'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'taming' comes from the Old English 'temian', meaning to bring under control.
  • In Latin, the root 'domare' means to tame or subdue, reflecting a long history of understanding control over nature.

The word 'taming' derives from the Middle English term 'tamyn,' which itself comes from the Old English 'tamian,' meaning to make tame or to subdue. The root of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*tamลnฤ…', which signifies the act of making an animal gentle. Throughout history, taming has been an essential aspect of human-animal relationships, dating back to prehistoric times when early humans sought to domesticate animals for agriculture, hunting, and companionship. The practice of taming has evolved over centuries, with various cultures developing methods tailored to specific species and their wild behaviors. Taming is distinct from domestication, which suggests a genetic change in the species over generations. Tamed animals may still possess wild instincts, but they are trained to coexist peacefully with humans.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,771, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.