Conventionalities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Established customs or practices that guide societal conduct
2. Accepted standards and norms that influence behavior in communities
3. Widely accepted practices and traditions shaping everyday social interactions

Etymology: "Conventionalities" is the plural of "conventionality," and the ending tells the story. The base word "conventional" came into English through Middle English from Latin "conventionalis," itself built on "conventio," a gathering or agreement, from "convenire," to come together. Latin speakers used "conventio" for a coming-together of people and for a formal agreement between parties, so the idea of something settled by mutual consent is built into the root. "Conventionality" adds the English suffix "-ity," which turns an adjective into a noun for a quality or state. A conventionality is therefore the quality of being conventional: the condition of following what a group has agreed is normal. The plural "conventionalities" names the individual customs and expected behaviours that make up that condition, so it is used for specific social rules rather than the abstract quality alone.

Synonyms: traditions, customs, norms

Antonyms: unconventionality, innovation