anti-abolitionist
|an-ti-a-bol-i-tion-ist|
/ˌæn.ti.ə.bəˈlɪʃ.ən.ɪst/
against abolition
Etymology
'anti-abolitionist' originates from combining the Greek prefix 'anti-' (via Latin and French into English), where 'anti-' meant 'against', and the English word 'abolitionist', which ultimately comes from Latin 'abolēre' meaning 'to abolish or destroy'.
'abolitionist' developed in English in the late 18th century from 'abolition' + the agent suffix '-ist'; 'anti-' was attached to form 'anti-abolitionist' in the 19th century to describe those opposing the abolition of slavery and related reforms.
Initially, 'anti-abolitionist' specifically meant 'opposed to the abolition of slavery' in historical contexts, but it can now be used more broadly to mean 'opposed to the abolition of a practice or institution'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to abolition, especially the abolition of slavery.
In the 19th century many anti-abolitionist politicians resisted laws ending slavery.
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Adjective 1
opposed to the abolition of a practice, law, or institution.
The organization adopted an anti-abolitionist stance on the proposed reforms.
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Last updated: 2026/01/21 13:25