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# ignorance

noun (ignorance — uncountable)

«ignorance» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Not knowing about something; lack of knowledge or information. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#m1)
2. Rude or unfriendly behaviour that comes from not knowing or not caring how others feel (in UK English «ignorant» can also mean rude). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#m2)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and lessons, ignorance is simply not knowing yet — everyone is ignorant of many things, and learning cures it. In citizenship lessons, ignorance about other people can lead to unfairness and prejudice. Phrases: ignorance is bliss (it can be happier not to know), in ignorance of, out of ignorance, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

### Examples

- Ignorance about germs made illnesses spread in the past. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x1)
- He said the wrong thing out of ignorance, not to be mean. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x2)
- «Ignorance is bliss,» said Mum when I asked how much the dentist costs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x3)
- Learning about other cultures helps fight ignorance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x4)
- Ignorance of the rules is no excuse for cheating. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x5)
- I admit my ignorance — I didn't know spiders aren't insects. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x6)
- “And who is this Pinocchio?” asked the Marionette, feigning ignorance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable: «ignorance», not «an ignorance». Adjective: «ignorant»; verb «ignore» means something different — to deliberately not pay attention. Not knowing something is not the same as being stupid; calling someone «ignorant» is usually rude. In law, «ignorance of the law is no excuse» means you must follow a law even if you did not know it.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Westcott's reading lists ignorance as the opposite of wisdom, one of seven pairs of opposites in Sefer Yetzirah. In the primary lessons: In everyday life and lessons, ignorance is simply not knowing yet — everyone is ignorant of many things, and learning cures it. In citizenship lessons, ignorance about other people can lead to unfairness and prejudice. Phrases: ignorance is bliss (it can be happier not to know), in ignorance of, out of ignorance, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

### Examples

- These are double, because their opposites take part in life, opposed to Life is Death; to Peace, War; to Riches, Poverty; to Beauty or Reputation, Deformity or Disrepute; to Wisdom, Ignorance; to Fruitfulness, Sterility; to Power, Slavery. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/ignorance/#x1)

### Note

Uncountable: «ignorance», not «an ignorance». Adjective: «ignorant»; verb «ignore» means something different — to deliberately not pay attention. Not knowing something is not the same as being stupid; calling someone «ignorant» is usually rude. In law, «ignorance of the law is no excuse» means you must follow a law even if you did not know it.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ignorance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/ignorance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ignorance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ignorance.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «ignorance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/ignorance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ignorance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ignorance.html) on Mova free.