Emancipate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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emancipate
[ษชหmรฆnsษชหpeษชt ]
Definition
society
To set free, especially from legal, social, or political restrictions. To liberate or release from bondage, oppression, or control. To free from the limitations of traditional roles or expectations.
Synonyms
free, liberate, release, unshackle.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| emancipate |
Typically used in a historical or legal context to describe the act of freeing someone from legal, social, or political restrictions. It often refers to large groups or systemic liberation.
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| liberate |
Often used in a military or political context to describe freeing a country, city, or group of people from oppression or occupation. Can also be used more generally for freeing someone from limiting situations.
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| free |
A general term used in everyday language as well as formal contexts to indicate the act of making someone or something free from constraints, imprisonment, or control.
|
| release |
Used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate the act of letting someone go from confinement, imprisonment, or any kind of restraint. Also common in legal settings for describing prisoners being released.
|
| unshackle |
More dramatic and literary term, often used metaphorically to describe freeing someone from mental, emotional, or societal restrictions. Can also refer to the literal removal of shackles.
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Examples of usage
- He was determined to emancipate the slaves and grant them their freedom.
- The women's rights movement fought to emancipate women from societal constraints.
- After years of therapy, she finally emancipated herself from her traumatic past.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Significance
- In the 19th century, the Emancipation Proclamation was a key document signed by President Abraham Lincoln that freed enslaved people in the Confederate states.
- The movement for womenโs suffrage in the early 20th century used the idea of emancipation to advocate for womenโs rights and liberties.
- Various civil rights movements around the world have used the concept to fight against oppression and for equality.
Cultural References
- Many works of literature and art depict the struggle for emancipation, such as the novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' which highlighted the harsh realities of slavery.
- In music, songs like 'Freedom' by Pharrell Williams embody the spirit of emancipation with themes of liberation and self-determination.
- Movies such as '12 Years a Slave' portray personal stories of emancipation, emphasizing the emotional and physical journey towards freedom.
Psychology
- Studies suggest that the feeling of being 'emancipated' from constraints can lead to increased happiness and life satisfaction.
- Emancipation can affect mental health positively by reducing feelings of anxiety and powerlessness associated with being controlled.
- The psychological concept of autonomy closely relates to emancipation, emphasizing self-direction in activities and decisions.
International Context
- Many countries have laws and movements aimed at the emancipation of various groups, such as children from child labor or women from patriarchal control.
- International human rights treaties often include stipulations for the emancipation and protection of vulnerable populations.
- Global organizations like the UN advocate for the emancipation of all people, emphasizing inherent rights and freedoms.
Origin of 'emancipate'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'emancipare' which means 'to free from ownership' or 'to set free'.
- It combines 'ex-' meaning 'out of' and 'manus' meaning 'hand', which indicates releasing someone from being under someone's control.
- The term entered English in the late 16th century, with its meaning evolving to incorporate broader ideas of freedom.
The word 'emancipate' comes from the Latin word 'emancipatus', which is the past participle of 'emancipare', meaning 'to set free'. The concept of emancipation has been central to many historical movements, including the abolition of slavery and the fight for equal rights. Emancipation is a powerful idea that represents liberation and freedom from oppression.