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Manumit Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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manumit

[ˌmæn.juˈmɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal release

To manumit is to release from slavery or servitude. This term is often used in historical contexts where individuals were freed from bondage. Manumission was a significant legal process in various societies, particularly during periods of slavery.

Synonyms

emancipate, free, liberate.

Examples of usage

  • The law allowed slave owners to manumit their servants.
  • Several states passed laws that facilitated the manumission of enslaved individuals.
  • He decided to manumit his slaves in his will.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'manumit'

The term 'manumit' originates from the Latin words 'manumittere', where 'manu' means 'hand' and 'mittere' means 'to send'. This term reflects the practice of sending a person from bondage into freedom, historically significant amongst ancient Roman law and later in the context of slavery in Europe and America. The practice of manumission varied significantly across cultures and time periods, often influenced by socio-economic factors and moral philosophies regarding slavery. In the early American context, manumission often involved complex legal, economic, and social considerations, as many slave owners grappled with the ethics of slavery while simultaneously seeking economic benefit from their enslaved laborers. Over time, the manumission of slaves became a significant part of the larger abolitionist movement, advocating for the rights and freedoms of enslaved individuals.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,894, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.