The word "deme" is spelled with the letters D-E-M-E, and its pronunciation is typically represented using the International Phonetic Alphabet as [diːm]. The "d" is pronounced as a voiced dental plosive, the "e" as a long vowel sound, and the "m" as a voiced bilabial nasal. The emphasis in pronunciation is on the first syllable, and the word refers to a small, localized population of organisms within a larger species or population. It is commonly used in biological and ecological contexts.
A deme is a term used in the field of anthropology, genetics, and historical genetics to refer to a small local population or community of individuals who are linked together based on social, biological, or genetic factors. The word "deme" is derived from the Greek word "demos," which means "people" or "population."
In anthropology, a deme is often used to describe a group of people who share common cultural practices, customs, and beliefs and who live in a specific geographic area. These demes can vary in size, ranging from small tribes or villages to larger ethnic or national communities. Within a deme, individuals may maintain close social ties, cooperate in various activities, and follow similar social norms and traditions.
In genetics and historical genetics, a deme refers to a localized population of individuals who interbreed with one another more frequently than with individuals from other populations. This concept is essential in understanding how genetic traits spread and evolve within populations over time. By studying demes, researchers can analyze the genetic structure and diversity of specific populations and draw conclusions about their evolutionary history and relationships with other groups.
Overall, the term "deme" is commonly used in various disciplines to describe smaller, localized populations or communities of individuals who share common cultural, social, or genetic characteristics.
The word "deme" derives from the Ancient Greek term "dēmos" (δῆμος), which means "people" or "community". In ancient Greek city-states like Athens, "dēmos" referred to the citizens who gathered in assemblies to participate in political decision-making. Over time, the term "dēmos" also came to signify smaller regional subdivisions within a city or territory. This particular meaning eventually evolved into the modern use of "deme" to refer to a local administrative subdivision or village in Greece.