meme

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 See also 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Coined by Richard Dawkins, 1976 in the book, The Selfish Gene. Modelled after gene, possibly influenced by mimic and memory or from Greek μίμημα (imitation, copy).

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: mēm, IPA: /miːm/, SAMPA: /mi:m/
• Rhymes: -iːm

[edit] Noun

meme (plural memes)

1. (philosophy) Any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity.
2. (philosophy) A self-propagating unit of cultural evolution having a resemblance to the gene (the unit of genetics).

[edit] Derived terms

memetic memetic algorithm

memetic engineering memetics

memeplex meme pool

[edit] See also

• replicator

[edit] Translations