hutterite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist/Formal
Quick answer
What does “hutterite” mean?
A member of a Christian Anabaptist sect, living communally in rural colonies, originating in Central Europe and now found primarily in North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Christian Anabaptist sect, living communally in rural colonies, originating in Central Europe and now found primarily in North America.
Relating to or characteristic of the Hutterites, their communal lifestyle, their distinct culture (including dress, dialect, and pacifism), or their agricultural practices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is rarely used in the UK, as Hutterite communities are not present there. It is known primarily in academic contexts. In North America, especially Canada and the northern US plains, it is more widely recognized due to the presence of colonies.
Connotations
In North America, it connotes rural, traditional, communal farming communities distinct from the Amish or Mennonites. In the UK, it is an exotic historical/religious reference.
Frequency
Virtually zero frequency in UK general discourse; low but specific frequency in relevant North American regional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hutterite” in a Sentence
The Hutterites (subject) + verb (live/farm/practice)a/an + adjective (traditional, conservative) + Hutterite + noun (community, colony)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hutterite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum had an exhibit on Hutterite craftsmanship.
- It was a study of Hutterite origins in Moravia.
American English
- We bought vegetables from a Hutterite farm stand.
- The Hutterite colony manages over 10,000 acres.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might occur in contexts of agricultural business or land acquisition near colonies.
Academic
Common in studies of religious history, anthropology, sociology of community, and agricultural economics.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used mainly in regions where colonies are present, often in news or descriptive conversation.
Technical
Used in religious studies, ethnography, and historical demography to specify this particular Anabaptist group.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hutterite”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hutterite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hutterite”
- Misspelling as 'Huderite', 'Huterite'.
- Using lowercase ('hutterite').
- Confusing them with the Amish (Hutterites live communally; Amish family units live separately).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are Anabaptist groups, Hutterites live communally with all property owned by the colony. The Amish live in separate family households.
The majority live in the Prairie provinces of Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the Great Plains of the United States (Montana, North and South Dakota).
They are typically trilingual: using a Tyrolean German dialect (Hutterisch) at home, Standard German for worship, and English for business and interaction with the outside world.
Yes, often selectively. They commonly use modern farm machinery, trucks, and household appliances if deemed beneficial to the community's work, while often rejecting technologies seen as disruptive to community life (e.g., personal televisions).
A member of a Christian Anabaptist sect, living communally in rural colonies, originating in Central Europe and now found primarily in North America.
Hutterite is usually specialist/formal in register.
Hutterite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌtərʌɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhədəˌraɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Hutterite = 'Hut' + 'heritage'. Think of a heritage of communal living, historically in simple dwellings.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING FOSSIL (for their preserved 16th-century lifestyle in the modern world); A HUMAN HIVE (for their intense communalism).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining feature of Hutterite society?