cargo cult
Seed from Open English WordNet (OEWN) 2025
Meanings by context
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- definition (Melanesia) the followers of one of several millenarian cults that believe salvation will come in the form of wealth (‘cargo’) brought by westerners; some ascribe divine attributes to westerners on first contact (especially to missionaries)
- definition a religious cult that anticipates a time of joy, serenity, and justice when salvation comes