antivivisectionist
|an-ti-viv-i-sec-tion-ist|
/ˌæn.tiˌvɪv.ɪˈsɛk.ʃən.ɪst/
opposed to animal experimentation
Etymology
'antivivisectionist' originates from modern English, formed from the prefix 'anti-' (against) + 'vivisection' (from Latin 'vivus' meaning 'alive' + 'secare' meaning 'to cut') + the agent suffix '-ist'.
'vivisection' entered English via Latin/French in the 17th–19th centuries; the term 'antivivisection' arose in the 19th century with the animal-rights movement, and adding '-ist' produced 'antivivisectionist' to denote a person opposed to vivisection.
Initially it meant 'one opposed to vivisection'; this core meaning has remained largely unchanged and still refers specifically to opponents of animal experimentation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to vivisection (the practice of performing operations on live animals for experimental or scientific purposes).
An antivivisectionist organized a protest outside the laboratory.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/12 08:48