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Outlawing: meaning, definitions and examples

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outlawing

 

[ ˈaʊtˌlɔːɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

Outlawing refers to the act of making something illegal, prohibiting it by law. This can pertain to actions, behaviors, or groups that are deemed unlawful by governing authorities. It creates a legal status whereby those who engage in such activities can face penalties or consequences as defined by the law. Outlawing is often a response to social, moral, or ethical concerns regarding public safety and welfare.

Synonyms

ban, outlaw, prohibit

Examples of usage

  • The government is considering outlawing smoking in public places.
  • Outlawing certain drugs has been part of the country's efforts to combat addiction.
  • They are working on outlawing any form of discrimination in the workplace.

Translations

Translations of the word "outlawing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 proibição

🇮🇳 गैरकानूनी बनाना

🇩🇪 Verbot

🇮🇩 pelarangan

🇺🇦 заборона

🇵🇱 zakaz

🇯🇵 違法化

🇫🇷 interdiction

🇪🇸 prohibición

🇹🇷 yasaklama

🇰🇷 불법화

🇸🇦 تحريم

🇨🇿 zakázání

🇸🇰 zákaz

🇨🇳 禁止

🇸🇮 prepoved

🇮🇸 bann

🇰🇿 тыйым салу

🇬🇪 კრძალვა

🇦🇿 qadağan etmə

🇲🇽 prohibición

Word origin

The term 'outlawing' is derived from the noun 'outlaw', which originally comes from the Old English 'ūtlāw', meaning 'outside the law'. In medieval times, an outlaw was someone who had been declared outside the protection of the law, and thus could be harmed with impunity by anyone. This concept evolved through the centuries, reflecting changing legal systems and societal norms. Outlawing became a formal legal term for prohibiting specific actions or individuals from certain rights or protections. By the 16th century, it started to take on a broader context, often relating to behaviors deemed unacceptable by society. In contemporary usage, it reflects legislative measures aimed at controlling or eliminating detrimental actions, highlighting an ongoing dialogue about legality and morality in governance.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,617, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.