Abolitionisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The philosophies advocating for the complete end of practices such as slavery or the death penalty are known through diverse ideologies
2. The movements aimed at eliminating certain systemic issues reflect a commitment to justice and humanity in various contexts
3. Various approaches and ideas focused on the cessation of oppressive institutions are recognized for their historical and social significance

Etymology: That Latin verb is the root of the whole family, and it is related to the Latin prefix "ab-", "away from", which gives the sense of something being pushed away and done with. The suffix "-ism" is the part that does the work of turning a practice into a doctrine. It comes from Greek "-ismos", via Latin and French, and marks a system of belief or a movement. So "abolitionism" names the doctrine that a practice should be completely ended, and it was formed in English by adding that suffix to "abolition" rather than being borrowed whole. "Abolitionisms" is the plural of this noun, used when several distinct movements or philosophies with the same goal are being compared, such as the campaigns against slavery and those against capital punishment.