antiexpansion
|an-ti-ex-pan-sion|
/ˌæn.ti.ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/
against expansion / opposing growth
Etymology
'antiexpansion' is formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'ἀντί' meaning 'against') combined with 'expansion' (from Latin 'expandere').
'anti-' comes from Greek via Latin and Old French usage as a combining form meaning 'against'; 'expansion' derives from Latin 'expandere' ('ex-' + 'pandere'), passed into Old French and then Middle English as 'expansion', and the compound 'anti-' + 'expansion' is a modern English formation.
The components originally meant 'against' and 'to spread/expand'; combined in modern usage the term has the straightforward sense 'against expansion' with little historical semantic drift beyond compounding.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a stance, policy, or movement opposing expansion (territorial, organizational, market, etc.); opposition to growth or enlargement.
The coalition's antiexpansion platform appealed to voters worried about rapid urban growth.
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Adjective 1
opposed to expansion; intended or designed to prevent or limit expansion.
They proposed several antiexpansion measures to protect local green spaces.
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Last updated: 2025/08/31 19:46