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ancestral

ancestral

adjective ahn-ses-TRAL Rare

Usage Note

Ancestral describes something inherited from or relating to one's ancestors: terres ancestrales (ancestral lands), coutumes ancestrales (age-old customs). The masculine plural is ancestraux. The related noun is ancêtre (ancestor). The word has a solemn, heritage-laden tone in French.

Examples

"Ils ont conservé leurs traditions ancestrales."

Natural Translation

They preserved their ancestral traditions.

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