dynasty
Meaning: A succession of rulers from the same family or lineage; more broadly, a family that maintains power, influence, or prominence over several generations.
Dynasties have shaped world history, from the Egyptian pharaohs and Chinese imperial families to European royal houses like the Tudors, Stuarts, and Bourbons. The adjective 'dynastic' describes matters relating to a ruling family or succession. In modern usage, 'dynasty' is applied metaphorically to powerful business families (the Murdochs, the Rothschilds) or dominant sports teams. Chinese history is traditionally divided into dynastic periods.
Examples
- The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485 to 1603, producing some of the nation's most famous monarchs. 都铎王朝统治英格兰从1485年到1603年,诞生了该国一些最著名的君主。La dinastía Tudor reinó en Inglaterra de 1485 a 1603 y produjo algunos de los monarcas más célebres de la nación.テューダー朝は1485年から1603年までイングランドを統治し、国の歴史上最も有名な君主を輩出しました。튜더 왕조는 1485년부터 1603년까지 잉글랜드를 통치하며 역사상 가장 유명한 군주들을 배출했다.
- The Ming dynasty presided over a golden age of Chinese art, literature, and exploration. 明朝见证了中国艺术、文学和航海探索的黄金时代。La dinastía Ming presidió una edad de oro del arte, la literatura y la exploración chinos.明王朝は、中国の芸術、文学、探検の黄金時代を統治しました。명 왕조는 중국 예술, 문학, 탐험의 황금기를 이끌었다.
- The family built a media dynasty that spans three generations and multiple continents. 这个家族建立了一个横跨三代人和多个大洲的媒体王朝。La familia construyó una dinastía mediática que abarca tres generaciones y varios continentes.その一族は三世代にわたり、複数の大陸にまたがるメディア王朝を築き上げました。그 가문은 3대에 걸쳐 여러 대륙에 걸친 미디어 왕조를 구축했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek dynasteia (power, dominion), from dynastes (ruler, chief), from dynasthai (to be able, to have power). Entered English via Latin in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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