Definition

The family members from whom a person is descended, especially those who lived a long time ago.

Example

She traced her ancestry back to the early settlers of the region.

Conversation

Have you ever looked into your family ancestry?

Not really, but I've always been curious about where I come from.

I recently found out some interesting things about my ancestry!

That's cool! I should probably start my own search too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ancestry → It is formed from "ante" (meaning before) and "cessus" (from "cedere", meaning to go or yield). The word refers to those who have gone before, or the lineage of individuals from previous generations.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ante' meaning 'before' and 'cessus' relating to 'going' — this helps you remember that ancestry refers to those who came before us.

Visually Confused Words