WordGarden.iocontemporaneity
C2Pronunciation
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Meanings
Noun
the state of existing or happening during the same period
the quality of belonging to the present age
Beyond the definition
Contemporaneity isn't just about things happening now; it's about them happening together. Imagine a bustling marketplace: the fruit vendor, the musician, and the storyteller all exist in the same moment, creating a shared sense of contemporaneity. It describes the state of belonging to the same period. We often discuss "historical contemporaneity" when examining events that unfolded during the same era, such as the invention of the printing press and the height of the Renaissance. It's more than just a coincidence of timing; it's about a shared existence within a specific timeframe that allows for mutual influence. You might say two artists share a sense of contemporaneity if their work reflects similar cultural worries or style.
Contemporaneity refers to the state or quality of existing, happening, or being considered at the same time. It's a concept that stretches beyond the simple acknowledgment that things occur simultaneously; it delves into how those simultaneous occurrences shape each other and collectively define an era.
The word is derived from the Latin contemporaneus, meaning "living at the same time." While frequently used in historical contexts—such as discussing the contemporaneity of William Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I—it is increasingly relevant to our understanding of modern life. Think of social media: a trending hashtag creates a sense of digital contemporaneity, connecting people across the globe in a shared, instantaneous moment.
However, contemporaneity isn't always straightforward. Philosophers often debate whether true contemporaneity is even possible, given that individual experiences of time are inherently subjective and fragmented. The concept also plays a vital role in art theory, where it's used to analyze how creators respond to and reflect the specific concerns of their own time.
In academic fields like sociology and anthropology, contemporaneity can describe the complex interplay between different cultures or social groups existing within the same timeframe but experiencing vastly different realities. It highlights the idea that "now" isn't a single, unified experience for everyone. Ultimately, whether you're analyzing historical events, understanding cultural trends, or pondering the nature of time itself, contemporaneity is about recognizing the shared existence—and often complex interactions—of things happening together, in this very moment and throughout history.
Examples
- 1
Historical dating
Historians still debate the contemporaneity of the two documents, since one may have been copied years later.
- 2
Modern adaptation
The director gave the Shakespeare play a surprising contemporaneity by setting it in a modern newsroom.
- 3
Critical relevance
For many critics, the novel’s contemporaneity lies in how directly it speaks to climate anxiety and political distrust today.
See also
Similar
- coexistence
- simultaneity
- contemporaneousness
Shades of meaning
- coevality
- synchrony
Contrast
- anachronism
- diachrony
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- contemporaneity of events
- historical contemporaneity
- contemporaneity with
Word family
Explore
- periodization
- historical context
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- contemporaneitynoun