Definition
鼻祖 literally means 'nose ancestor' and is used figuratively to refer to the earliest founder or originator of a tradition, a school of thought, a style, or a discipline. It carries a sense of being the first and most original source, often with reverence. You'll encounter it in cultural and historical contexts, like naming the founder of a philosophical movement or art form.
n.
the earliest ancestororiginator (of a tradition, school of thought, or discipline)
Examples
- 鼻祖。Kǒngzǐ bèi zūn wéi Rújiā sīxiǎng bí zǔ.Confucius is revered as the founder of Confucian thought.
- 鼻祖。Zhè wèi huàjiā shì xiàndài chōuxiàng yìshù de bí zǔ zhī yī.This painter is one of the founders of modern abstract art.
- 鼻祖。Xǔduō wǔshù ménpài dōu yǒu zìjǐ de bí zǔ.Many martial arts schools have their own originators.
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