Abolitionary

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /æb.əˈlɪʃ.əˌnɛɹ.i/

Definitions

1. Advocating for the complete ending or elimination of a law, system, or institution
2. Supporting the removal or termination of established practices or regulations
3. Encouraging the cessation and abolition of social, political, or legal structures

Etymology: "Abolitionary" is a plain formation: English "abolition" with the suffix "-ary," meaning "of or relating to." "Abolition" itself comes from Latin "abolitiō," a noun built from "abolēre," "to destroy, do away with," which goes back to a verb meaning "to grow up, increase" with the prefix "ab-" ("away from"). The Latin sense thus ran from a growing thing being cut off or removed, to outright destruction or annulment. The noun passed into English through Old French and Middle French "abolition," and the "-ary" ending, inherited from Latin "-ārius," was attached to it in English. The result describes something that urges full removal of a thing, most often an institution, and it is the adjectival form that carries the sense of a movement or stance rather than an act.

Synonyms: anti-slavery, repeal, emancipationist, liberationist, freedom-seeking

Antonyms: pro-slavery, supportive, endorsing, advocating, promoting