Cession: Surrendering Territory in a Board Game and Beyond
Explore the meaning and usage of the GRE vocabulary word ‘cession’, which refers to the act of surrendering or transferring something, often in a legal or political context. Learn about the word’s origins, synonyms, antonyms, and common errors to improve your GRE verbal skills.
Imagine you’re playing a board game, and you decide to give up some of your territory to another player in exchange for a temporary alliance.
This act of giving up or surrendering something is exactly what our GRE vocabulary word of the day, cession, means.
Word type: Cession is a noun, pronounced as sess-shun.
Meaning: Cession refers to the act of ceding or surrendering something, typically property, rights, or territory, to another person or entity.
It often implies a formal or legal transfer of possession or control.
Word history: The word cession has its roots in Latin.
It comes from the Latin word cessio, meaning a giving up or surrendering. This, in turn, is derived from the verb cedere, which means to yield or withdraw.
The concept of cession has been particularly important in historical and political contexts, often used in treaties and agreements between nations.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of cession include acquisition, retention, and maintenance. While cession involves giving something up, these words relate to keeping or gaining possession of something.
Synonyms: Synonyms for cession include surrender, relinquishment, yielding, and concession. These words all convey the idea of giving up control or possession of something.
Examples use in sentences: The treaty included a cession of coastal territories from one country to another.
The company’s cession of its patent rights to a competitor was a strategic move to avoid a costly legal battle.
The cession of power from the military junta to a democratically elected government marked a turning point in the nation’s history.
Common errors in use: One common error is confusing cession with session. While they sound similar, session refers to a period of time set aside for a particular activity, like a study session.
Another mistake is using cession interchangeably with secession. Secession specifically refers to the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or political entity.
Understanding the word cession and its usage is crucial for GRE vocabulary, as it often appears in passages related to history, politics, and law.
Remember, cession is about giving up or surrendering something, typically in a formal or legal context.
By mastering this word, you’re one step closer to acing the verbal section of the GRE.
