The spelling of the word "acquired livelihood" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "ac-" is pronounced as /ək/, with the "a" sound pronounced as a schwa. The second syllable "-quired" is pronounced as /kwɑːd/, with the "qu" making the /kw/ sound and the "i" pronounced as a long /ɑː/. The final syllable "-livelihood" is pronounced as /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/, with the stress on the second syllable and the "i" sound pronounced as a short /ɪ/. Together, the word is pronounced as /ək'kwɑːd 'laɪvlihʊd/.
Acquired livelihood refers to a means of sustenance or income that has been obtained through various processes, efforts, or activities. It is a form of livelihood that individuals or groups have procured or achieved through their own actions or initiatives, rather than inheriting or naturally possessing it.
This term implies that the source of one's livelihood has been obtained or earned, typically through skill development, education, training, or entrepreneurship. It involves the acquisition of marketable abilities, knowledge, or resources that enable individuals to engage in productive work and generate income.
Examples of acquired livelihood can include engaging in a profession or trade, starting a business, developing expertise in a specific field, or acquiring specialized skills that allow one to secure employment or generate income independently. It signifies that individuals have actively pursued and achieved a sustainable way of making a living, often indicating self-reliance, personal growth, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Acquired livelihood is often contrasted with inherited or traditional forms of sustenance, such as inherited wealth, land ownership, or ancestral professions, which are not solely based on personal efforts or achievements. This term highlights the importance of individual agency, effort, and the capacity to acquire knowledge and skills as a means to secure a sustainable living.
The word acquired is derived from the Latin word acquirere, which is a combination of ad (meaning to) and quaerere (meaning to seek). Livelihood is derived from Middle English livelihood(e), which comes from liveli(de) (meaning to provide for oneself) and hood (meaning state, condition, or quality). Therefore, the etymology of the phrase acquired livelihood can be understood as a combination of acquired meaning to obtain or gain and livelihood meaning the means of supporting oneself.