abolition

UK: ˌæbəˈlɪʃən | US: ˌæbəˈlɪʃən

Definition

  1. n. the act of officially ending or stopping something, especially a system, practice, or institution

  2. n. the legal termination of slavery in a country or region

Structure
abolish <to end>ion <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "abolition" stems from the Latin abolitio, derived from abolere ("to destroy, efface"). The root abolish entered English via Old French aboliss-, meaning "to annul." The suffix -ion (from Latin -io) forms nouns denoting actions or results. Historically, "abolition" became strongly associated with the movement to end slavery in the 18th–19th centuries, giving the term its modern moral and legal weight.

Examples

  1. The abolition of slavery in the U.S. was formalized by the 13th Amendment.

  2. Many activists campaigned for the abolition of child labor laws.

  3. The king announced the abolition of the outdated tax system.

  4. Scholars debate the economic impacts of the abolition of feudalism.

  5. Her speech focused on the abolition of discriminatory policies.