dissident
UK: ˈdɪsɪdənt | US: ˈdɪsɪdənt
n. a person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state
adj. in opposition to official policy
dissident = dis<apart, away> + sid<sit> + ent<noun/adjective suffix>
- dis: Latin prefix meaning "apart" or "away," indicating separation or opposition.
- sid: From Latin sedere (to sit), implying a fixed position or stance.
- ent: Suffix forming nouns/adjectives, denoting a person or state of being.
Etymology Origin:
The word "dissident" originates from Latin dissidēre ("to sit apart"), combining dis- (apart) and sedēre (to sit). It originally described someone who physically or ideologically "sat apart" from a group, later evolving to mean opposition to authority. The term gained political prominence during the Cold War to describe critics of authoritarian regimes.
The dissident was imprisoned for speaking against the government.
Dissident voices were silenced during the protest.
She became a dissident after witnessing corruption in the system.
The dissident movement grew despite state suppression.
His dissident views made him a target for surveillance.