antivaccinationist
|an-ti-vac-ci-na-tion-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.væk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən.ɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪ.væk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən.ɪst/
against vaccination
Etymology
'antivaccinationist' originates from the combining form 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') plus 'vaccination' (from Latin 'vacca' for 'cow', via 'vaccinus' relating to cows) and the agent suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin) meaning 'one who'.
'antivaccinationist' was formed in English in the 19th century during debates over smallpox vaccination; 'vaccination' itself comes from Edward Jenner's use of material from cows ('vacca' in Latin), and the opposition term developed as 'anti-' + 'vaccination' + '-ist'.
Initially coined to describe someone opposed to smallpox vaccination specifically, the term has broadened to mean a person opposed to vaccination in general or to vaccination policies.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who opposes vaccination or the practice of vaccinating.
Antivaccinationists campaigned against mandatory immunization laws.
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Noun 2
a member or supporter of an organized movement opposing vaccination.
Many antivaccinationists attended the rally to voice their concerns about vaccine safety.
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Last updated: 2025/09/12 03:12