protectionist
|pro-tec-tion-ist|
/prəˈtɛkʃənɪst/
favoring trade protection
Etymology
'protectionist' originates from modern English formation of 'protection' + the suffix '-ist', ultimately traceable to Middle French 'protection' and Latin 'protectio', where Latin 'protegere' (from 'pro-' + 'tegere/tegere') meant 'to cover in front' or 'to protect'.
'protectionist' developed by adding the agentive suffix '-ist' to 'protection' (from Middle French and Latin) and came into use in the 19th century to denote a supporter of protectionist trade policies.
Initially it referred broadly to the act or quality of protection, but over time it evolved to mean specifically a supporter of protective trade measures or policies (or relating to such policies).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who favors protective trade policies (such as tariffs or import restrictions) to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.
The senator is a protectionist who supports higher tariffs to protect domestic jobs.
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Adjective 1
relating to or favoring protectionism; supporting policies that restrict imports or impose tariffs to protect domestic industry.
The country's protectionist measures included new tariffs on imported steel.
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Last updated: 2025/10/25 11:24