race-based
|race-based|
/ˈreɪsˌbeɪst/
based on race
Etymology
'race-based' originates from modern English compounding of 'race' + 'based' (the past participle/adjective from 'base'), where 'race' referred to a group of people and 'based' meant 'founded on' or 'having as a foundation'.
'race' entered English in the 16th century from Italian 'razza' and Old French 'rasse'; 'base' (and its adjectival/past participle form 'based') comes via Old French and Latin 'basis' meaning 'foundation'. The compound 'race-based' developed in English (chiefly in the 20th century) to describe things founded on race.
Initially the elements meant 'a group of people' ('race') and 'founded on' ('based'); together they came to specifically mean 'founded on race', often used to indicate actions or policies determined by racial classification (frequently with discriminatory connotations).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
founded on, determined by, or relating to a person's race; often used to describe policies, practices, or actions that use race as the primary criterion.
The policy was criticized as race-based and unfair.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/06 02:15