Added 9 October 2026
emancipation
/ɪˌmæn.səˈpeɪ.ʃən/ noun
Latin root: ēmancipātiō First recorded: 1785 Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about emancipation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The act of setting free from the power of another, as from slavery, subjection, dependence, or controlling influence.
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The state of being thus set free; liberation (used, for example, of slaves from bondage, of a person from prejudices, of the mind from superstition, of a nation from tyranny or subjugation).
US President Abraham Lincoln was called the Great Emancipator after issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Origin
1630, from French émancipation, from Latin ēmancipātiō. In the US, with reference to anti-slavery, abolitionism, first used in 1785 by Charles Godfrey Leland. In Britain, with reference to easing of restrictions on Catholics, in 19th century.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)