Abolitionist combines abolition (from Latin abolēre, to destroy) with the agent suffix -ist, and became the defining label for anti-slavery campaigners in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Definition
A person who advocates for the abolition of a system or institution, especially slavery
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English (from Latin)18th centurywell-attested
Abolitionist is an Englishformation from abolition + -ist, first appearing in the late 18th century. The base word abolition came from Latin abolitiōnem (a destroying), from abolēre (to destroy). The suffix -ist (from Greek -istēs via Latin -ista and French -iste) marks the agent — one who practices or advocates. The word gained its primary
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In the 1830s, 'abolitionist' was often used as a slur in the American Northand South alike. Many who opposed slavery preferred to call themselves 'anti-slavery' — the label 'abolitionist' implied a radicalism that made moderates uncomfortable.