prohibitionism
|pro-hi-bi-tion-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌproʊɪˈbɪʃənɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌprəʊɪˈbɪʃ(ə)nɪzəm/
advocacy of forbidding
Etymology
'prohibitionism' originates from English, specifically formed from 'prohibition' + the suffix '-ism', where 'prohibition' ultimately comes from Latin 'prohibitio' (from 'prohibēre'), with 'pro-' meaning 'away' and 'habēre'/'hibēre' (involved form) relating to 'hold/keep away'.
'prohibitionism' developed from Latin 'prohibēre' → Medieval Latin 'prohibitio' → Old/Middle French forms and Middle English 'prohibicioun'/'prohibition', and eventually the modern English noun 'prohibition' to which the English suffix '-ism' was added to form 'prohibitionism'.
Initially related to the Latin sense of 'keeping away' or 'forbidding', the term evolved to denote the act of forbidding and later came to be used for organized advocacy of forbidding (especially the movement to ban alcohol), which is its primary modern sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the advocacy or support of prohibition, especially the movement to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Prohibitionism gained considerable influence in several countries during the early 20th century.
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Noun 2
the policy or doctrine of forbidding certain practices or substances (general sense).
Some critics argue that prohibitionism in such areas often leads to unintended social problems.
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Last updated: 2025/10/14 21:51