from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tradition \Tra*di"tion\, n. [OE. tradicioun, L. traditio, from
tradere to give up, transmit. See {Treason}, {Traitor}.]
1. The act of delivering into the hands of another; delivery.
"A deed takes effect only from the tradition or delivery."
--Blackstone.
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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.
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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.
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Will you mock at an ancient tradition begun upon an
honorable respect? --Shak.
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Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful
village of Grand-Pr['e]. --Longfellow.
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4. (Theol.)
(a) An unwritten code of law represented to have been
given by God to Moses on Sinai.
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Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, which ye have delivered. --Mark
vii. 13.
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(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.
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Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye
have been taught, whether by word or our
epistle. --2 Thess. ii.
15.
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{Tradition Sunday} (Eccl.), Palm Sunday; -- so called because
the creed was then taught to candidates for baptism at
Easter.
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