An umbrella term is a word that provides a superset or grouping of related concepts, also called a hypernym. For example, cryptology is an umbrella term that encompasses cryptography and cryptanalysis, among other fields. Similarly, an "umbrella organization" can be an organization which is a central and coordinating body representing a number of smaller, separate bodies.
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Examples in archaeology and anthropology
- Grave goods
- Venus figurines: (They extend over diverse time periods.)
- Votive deposit: (They are 'essentially' in every human culture/"tribe".)
- Standing stone
Examples in earth science
- Punctuated equilibrium: Created 1972 in the category of Evolution, or Speciation, etc., but could obviously be applied to other "topics". Definition: (See Wiki page: Punctuated equilibrium contrasted against, Gradualism.)
Other examples
- Straw man (Two dictionary definitions)
- Psychokinesis (numerous alleged psychic force abilities described under this term)
- Psychosis (describes nine distinct diagnoses)
- Daltonism (umbrella for various color-blindness problems)
- Gay (Umbrella for several degrees and the different varieties of Homosexuality)
Other umbrella terms
See also
References
- Editors of Random House. Random House Webster's College Dictionary, Eds. of Random House, (Random House, New York), c 1992,1991. With various: Indices, Tables, Guides, etc., 1568 pgs.
Categories: Vocabulary
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