feudal superstition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feudal superstition" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a set of beliefs or practices that were once common in a feudal system. For example, "Many people in the Middle Ages held to feudal superstitions such as believing that certain breads had healing powers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Jinzhen writes a self-criticism for the "feudal superstition" of interpreting his colleagues' dreams, for example.

The Economist

They would lift us high above the level of feudal superstition in which our enemies remain mired.

The New York Times - Arts

In the legends of the classical romance of the "Three Kingdoms", the warlord Cao Cao finds a corpse bride for his son who died in 208 AD at the tender age of 13.In this section China's Chicago Chaudhry chuffed Fighting for land and water The Gandhis' girl Wet goods and dry goods ReprintsThe communists discouraged burials and suppressed ghost marriages as "feudal superstition".

The Economist

The new term was constructed to avoid association with religious practices, which were prone to being labeled as "feudal superstition" and persecuted during the Maoist era.

Wikipedia

Xinhua News Agency, the official news organization of the Communist Party, declared that Falun Gong "opposed to the Communist Party of China and the central government, preaches idealism, theism and feudal superstition".

Wikipedia

Falun Gong books were banned from further publication in July 1996, and state-run news outlets began criticizing the group as a form of "feudal superstition," whose "theistic" orientation was at odds with the official ideology and national agenda.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The state proscribes up to 11 kinds of content, which range from spreading obscenity to "disrupting national policies on religion, propagating evil cults and feudal superstitions".

The Guardian - Tech

In addition to the charges of taking $157 million in bribes and maintaining a harem of 18 mistresses, he is accused of an especially profane crime: "belief in feudal superstitions".

The New York Times

According to this way of thinking, the thoughtful futurist needed only to spot and nurture tomorrow's dominant progressive trends and kill off the feudal superstitions of false consciousness; then social perfection would arrive as surely as the ticking of a clock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The Internet has played important roles in the economy and cultural lives, but it also has brought many problems, such as sex, violence and feudal superstitions and other harmful information that has seriously poisoned people's spirits and caused harmful effects on the development of teenagers," Xinhua wrote May 31.

Forbes

Janes noted: At times Tibetan medicine has been repudiated in official revolutionary discourse as superstition employed by the corrupt feudal elite in its exploitation of peasants and nomads.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feudal superstition", ensure that the context clearly relates to beliefs or practices originating from or associated with a feudal society. This provides clarity and historical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "feudal superstition" to describe modern irrational beliefs. This phrase is best reserved for historical contexts directly related to feudal societies to maintain accuracy and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feudal superstition" functions as a noun phrase, where "feudal" acts as an adjective modifying "superstition". It describes a specific type of superstition connected to a feudal social structure. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feudal superstition" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe superstitious beliefs prevalent in feudal societies. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with historical or social structures related to feudalism. Related phrases include "medieval superstition" or "outdated practice". Keep in mind that applying the phrase to contemporary contexts could be a misapplication, as it is more appropriately used in historical analyses. It functions as a noun phrase, effectively categorizing specific types of superstitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

medieval superstition

Focuses on a specific historical period, shifting the emphasis from a social system to a time frame.

superstition from the Dark Ages

Similar to 'medieval superstition' but evokes a stronger sense of ignorance and backwardness.

old-fashioned belief

Replaces the historical and social context with a general sense of being outdated.

ancient tradition

Emphasizes the age and established nature of the belief, moving away from the feudal association.

outdated practice

Shifts the focus to the action or custom, rather than the belief system itself.

relic of the past

Highlights the idea of something surviving from a bygone era.

traditional fallacy

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the belief while maintaining its connection to tradition.

vestige of feudalism

Highlights the remaining traces or signs of the feudal system, often in intangible forms like beliefs.

antiquated ritual

Highlights that the superstition takes the form of a ritualistic practice and is also old.

custom of feudal origin

Specifies that the origin of the custom is from the feudal period.

FAQs

What does "feudal superstition" mean?

"Feudal superstition" refers to a superstitious belief or practice that was common during the feudal era, typically in medieval Europe, rooted in the social and political structures of the time.

How can I use "feudal superstition" in a sentence?

You might say, "The villagers clung to their "feudal superstitions", believing that a good harvest depended on appeasing the local spirits."

What are some examples of beliefs considered "feudal superstitions"?

Examples include belief in the divine right of kings, the power of relics, or various omens related to harvests and the changing seasons.

Are there modern equivalents to "feudal superstitions"?

While the specific beliefs may differ, modern superstitions often share the same function of providing comfort or control in uncertain situations. However, directly equating them might be inaccurate as modern superstitions arise from different social structures.