imbibice

Imbibice is a neologistic term used in cultural diffusion theory to describe the rapid, widespread uptake and internalization of external cultural traits by a population or community. It denotes a process in which ideas, practices, or artifacts are absorbed quickly enough to reshape local norms and behaviors within a relatively short time frame. The term appears to be a coinage from the English verb imbibe, combined with a Latin-sounding suffix to form a noun for a process.

In practice, imbibice is invoked to analyze events such as the swift adoption of global fashion trends, culinary styles, or digital memes that cross cultural boundaries through media, migration, and commerce. It emphasizes the speed and breadth of diffusion, as opposed to slower, multi-year acculturation, while allowing for heterogeneity across subgroups within a society.

Relation to other concepts: Imbibice is related to, yet distinct from, acculturation, diffusion of innovations, cultural globalization, and memetics. Critics argue that the term lacks a rigorous, standardized definition and may risk conflating rapid diffusion with deeper structural change. Proponents view it as a useful shorthand for understanding fast-paced cultural change in interconnected landscapes.

See also: Acculturation, Diffusion of innovations, Cultural globalization, Memetics, Information diffusion.

Note: Imbibice is not widely established in formal texts; usage tends to appear in theoretical discussions, glossaries, or speculative analyses rather than in established journals.