nonpersonhood
|non-person-hood|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˈpɝsənˌhʊd/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈpɜːs(ə)nˌhʊd/
state of not being a person
Etymology
'nonpersonhood' originates from English, specifically formed from the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not'), the noun 'person' (from Latin 'persona'), and the suffix '-hood' (from Old English 'hād' meaning 'state, condition').
'person' developed from Latin 'persona' via Old French into Middle English 'persone' and then Modern English 'person'; the suffix '-hood' comes from Old English 'hād' that evolved into the productive Modern English suffix '-hood'; the productive prefix 'non-' in Modern English combined with these elements to form compounds such as 'nonperson' and ultimately 'nonpersonhood'.
Initially it literally combined 'not' + 'person' + 'state' to mean 'the state of not being a person'; over time the term has been used specifically in legal, ethical, and political discourse to denote denial of rights, recognition, or humanity.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or condition of not being recognized as a person, especially in legal, moral, or political contexts (denial of legal or moral personhood).
The minority group's nonpersonhood under the law left them without basic protections.
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Noun 2
the act or process of treating someone as if they are not a person; dehumanization or social/political marginalization that removes recognition of personhood.
State propaganda contributed to the nonpersonhood of certain communities, enabling abuses.
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Last updated: 2025/11/28 05:11