Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “abolitionist” come from?

Abolitionist derives from English abolition combined with Latin -ista, from Ancient Greek -ιστής denoting a practitioner, ultimately tracing through Ancient Greek -ίζω, Latin ab- and ab meaning away, and Ancient Greek ἔλαιον or Latin oleum for oil.

abolitionist (English): In favor of the abolition of slavery; A person...

Definitions

  1. In favor of the abolition of slavery; A person...

Ancestry of “abolitionist”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishabolitionThe act of abolishing; an annulling; abrogation;...
2Middle Frenchabolition—
3Latinabolitiō—
4Latin-tiō—
5Latindissertātiō—
6Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
7Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “abolitionist”

  • antiabolitionist
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →