Freeborn: meaning, definitions and examples
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freeborn
[ friːˈbɔːrn ]
social status
Freeborn refers to a person who is born free, as opposed to being born into slavery or servitude. It denotes an individual whose status at birth is one of freedom, often implying certain rights and privileges that may not be enjoyed by those born into bondage. The term is used particularly in historical contexts discussing social hierarchies and rights of individuals in societies where slavery or serfdom was prevalent. A freeborn individual typically has the autonomy to make personal choices and engage in economic activities without coercion.
Synonyms
independent, liberated, unenslaved.
Examples of usage
- A freeborn citizen has the right to own property.
- Throughout history, being freeborn significantly impacted one's opportunities.
- In ancient Rome, many valued their freeborn status.
Translations
Translations of the word "freeborn" in other languages:
🇵🇹 nascido livremente
🇮🇳 स्वतंत्र जन्मा
🇩🇪 frei geboren
🇮🇩 lahir bebas
🇺🇦 вільнонароджений
🇵🇱 wolno urodzony
🇯🇵 自由に生まれた
🇫🇷 né libre
🇪🇸 nacido libre
🇹🇷 özgür doğmuş
🇰🇷 자유롭게 태어난
🇸🇦 مولود حر
🇨🇿 svobodně narozený
🇸🇰 slobodne narodený
🇨🇳 自由出生
🇸🇮 rojen prost
🇮🇸 fæðst frjáls
🇰🇿 еркін туған
🇬🇪 თავისუფალი დაბადებული
🇦🇿 azad doğulmuş
🇲🇽 nacido libre
Etymology
The term 'freeborn' has its origins in Old English, where it is derived from the combination of 'free,' meaning not in captivity or not a slave, and 'born,' which pertains to the act of being born. The use of the word can be traced back to medieval times, where social status was a crucial aspect of identity. In feudal societies, individuals often found themselves classified based on their birth; thus, those who were freeborn were afforded various rights and privileges that were not accessible to those born into servitude. Over the centuries, the concept evolved, especially during movements such as the abolition of slavery, where the distinction between freeborn individuals and enslaved persons was pivotal. The acknowledgment of freeborn status in documents and legal systems marked an important step toward the recognition of individual rights and liberties, influencing human rights discourse today.