sutteeism

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The practice of suttee: "sutteeism" refers to the historical Hindu custom in which a widow would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. This term denotes the ideology or practice itself, rather than a single act.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The British colonial authorities outlawed sutteeism in the 19th century. (The practice of widow self-immolation was banned by the British administration.)
  • Scholars debate the social and religious factors that sustained sutteeism in certain regions of India. (The custom persisted due to cultural and religious beliefs.)

Advanced Usage

• "to practice sutteeism": to engage in or support the custom of widow self-immolation.
  • The reformer campaigned vigorously against the continued practice of sutteeism in rural areas. (He opposed the custom as inhumane.)

Variants and Related Words

• Suttee (noun): a widow who performed the act of self-immolation; also the act itself.

  • The suttee was revered in some communities as a symbol of devotion. (The widow who died on the pyre was honored.)

• Sutteeist (noun): a person who advocates or practices sutteeism.

  • The sutteeist defended the tradition as a sacred duty. (An advocate of the custom.)

Synonyms

• Widow-burning: a direct, often pejorative term for the practice.
• Sati: an alternative spelling and term for the same custom, derived from the Sanskrit word for "virtuous woman."

Related Idioms (None directly applicable; the term is specific and historical)

Phrasal Verbs (None applicable; "sutteeism" is a noun with no phrasal verb forms)