tradition Meaning, Definition & Usage

Tra*di"tion noun

Etymology

OE. tradicioun, L. traditio, from tradere to give up, transmit. See Treason, Traitor.

Definitions

1. The act of delivering into the hands of another; delivery. "A deed takes effect only from the tradition or delivery." Blackstone.
2. The unwritten or oral delivery of information, opinions, doctrines, practices, rites, and customs, from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of any knowledge, opinions, or practice, from forefathers to descendants by oral communication, without written memorials.
3. Hence, that which is transmitted orally from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; knowledge or belief transmitted without the aid of written memorials; custom or practice long observed.

   Will you mock at an ancient tradition begun upon an honorable respect? Shak.

   Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful village of Grand-Pré. Longfellow.

4. (Theol.) (a) An unwritten code of law represented to have been given by God to Moses on Sinai.

   Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered. Mark vii. 13.

   (b) That body of doctrine and discipline, or any article thereof, supposed to have been put forth by Christ or his apostles, and not committed to writing.

   Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thess. ii. 15.

Tra*di"tion transitive verb

Definitions

1. To transmit by way of tradition; to hand down. Obs.

   The following story is . . . traditioned with very much credit amongst our English Catholics. Fuller.