Definition

1. Noun:
   • A body of traditional knowledge or belief on a particular subject: "Lore" refers to knowledge, wisdom, or teachings that are passed down, often informally, within a culture, group, or field. This includes facts, stories, customs, and beliefs accumulated over time.
   • Learning, scholarship (archaic): In older usage, "lore" could simply mean learning or acquired knowledge in a general sense.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The book is filled with the lore of ancient sailors. (The book contains the traditional knowledge and stories of ancient sailors.)
  • She is an expert in herbal lore. (She has deep knowledge of traditional information about herbs.)
  • According to local lore, the forest is haunted. (Based on traditional stories and beliefs of the area, the forest is haunted.)

Advanced Usage

• "To become part of the lore": to become incorporated into the traditional stories or knowledge of a group.

  • His heroic deeds quickly became part of the town's lore. (His heroic actions were soon added to the town's traditional stories.)

• "To pass down lore": to transmit traditional knowledge to the next generation.

  • Elders are responsible for passing down the tribe's lore. (Older members of the tribe are responsible for teaching the tribe's traditional knowledge to younger people.)

Variants and Related Words

• Folklore (n): The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth.
  • The university has a strong department for the study of folklore.
• Oral lore: Knowledge or tradition transmitted verbally rather than in writing.

Synonyms

• Folklore: Traditional stories and customs.
• Mythology: A collection of myths, especially those belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.
• Tradition: The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.
• Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

Related Phrases

• Body of lore: The complete collection of traditional knowledge on a subject.
  • He spent years studying the entire body of Norse lore.
• Rich in lore: Having a great amount of traditional knowledge or stories.
  • The ancient castle is rich in lore and legend.

Related Idioms

• Lost to lore: Refers to knowledge or information that has been forgotten over time and no longer forms part of the living tradition.
  • The original meaning of the ritual is now lost to lore. (The original purpose of the ritual has been forgotten and is no longer known through traditional stories.)

Noun

1. knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
   • early peoples passed on plant and animal lore through legend