Slaveholder: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is used in historical contexts to describe individuals who owned slaves, especially in regions and time periods where slavery was a legal institution. It carries a neutral to negative connotation, depending on context.

• The estate documents revealed that the family had been prominent slaveholders in the 1800s.
• Historical records show that slaveholders had significant economic and political power in the South.

This term is straightforward and descriptive, used in discussions about the institution of slavery. It highlights possession and ownership, often used in historical or factual accounts. The connotation is typically negative due to the inherent immorality of owning another person.

• The museum exhibit included documents showing the purchases made by slave owners.
• She researched the impact of slave owners on the agricultural development of the region.

This word is often used in discussions focusing on the actions and moral implications of keeping slaves. It has a strongly negative connotation, emphasizing the act of subjugating individuals.

• The narrative of the novel exposes the brutal life imposed by the enslavers.
• Enslavers exploited and dehumanized countless people for their own benefit.

Commonly used in historical contexts or literary works to indicate a person who had authority over slaves. It implies a personal and direct relationship between the master and the slaves. The connotation is usually negative, focusing on dominance and control.

• The slaves had to obey their master's commands without question.
• In many accounts, the master's cruelty and oppressive behavior are vividly described.