Humanitarians

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals or organizations dedicated to promoting human welfare and alleviating suffering
2. People who engage in actions aimed at improving the quality of life for others, often in response to crises
3. Advocates for humanitarian principles and aid, working towards social justice and supporting vulnerable populations

Etymology: "Humanitarians" is the plural of "humanitarian," which English formed from "humanity" plus the suffix "-arian," a marker for someone who advocates or believes in something. The suffix is the same one found in "Unitarian," and the word may well have been modelled on that name for a Christian who rejected the Trinity. Its earlier sense was therefore a doctrinal one: a person who held a particular view about human nature or a particular religious belief. The meaning shifted decisively toward charity and welfare in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when it came to describe people who worked to improve the lot of others, especially through practical relief. The noun's sense of someone actively relieving suffering is the one that dominates today, so the word's original emphasis on belief has largely faded into the background.

Synonyms: philanthropists, activists, charity workers, social workers, volunteers