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Unseat Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unseat

[ʌnˈsiːt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

politics

To remove someone from a position of power or authority, especially through a vote or election.

Synonyms

displace, overthrow, remove.

Examples of usage

  • The opposition party is trying to unseat the current prime minister in the upcoming election.
  • The scandal led to calls for the president to be unseated.
Context #2 | Verb

sports

To cause a competitor to fall from their seat or saddle, especially in horse racing.

Examples of usage

  • The jockey made a daring move to unseat the favorite horse in the final stretch.
  • The aggressive play unseated the defending champion.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Politics

  • In political contexts, to unseat often refers to the act of removing an incumbent official from office, usually through an election.
  • A notable example is the 2010 US elections, where several incumbents were unseated due to widespread voter dissatisfaction.
  • Unseating is a critical part of democratic processes, reflecting the populace's will.

Sports

  • In sports, unseating an opponent can refer to winning a match against a defending champion, such as in tennis or wrestling.
  • The term is commonly used in horse racing when a horse that has been a top competitor loses its title or rank.
  • In the context of sports teams, a coach may unseat a starting player in favor of a new talent.

Literature

  • This term appears in literary works, often symbolizing overthrow or change, such as in Shakespeare's histories where kings can be unseated.
  • In modern fiction, characters may 'unseat' others by revealing truths or scandals that alter power dynamics.
  • Fables and fairy tales frequently use the idea of unseating to discuss moral lessons about power and justice.

Psychology

  • The act of unseating someone can have profound psychological effects on both the individual being unseated and the one doing it.
  • Research shows that people often react strongly to perceived loss of status, leading to feelings of anger or resentment.
  • Understanding the power dynamics involved in unseating can help in conflict resolution and leadership development.

Origin of 'unseat'

Main points about word origin

  • Unseat comes from the Old English 'unsettan,' which means to take away a seat.
  • The prefix 'un-' indicates a reversal, so it literally means to 'not' have a seat anymore.
  • The term has been used since the 15th century and has evolved to encompass various positions of authority.

The word 'unseat' originated in the early 18th century from the combination of 'un-' (indicating reversal) and 'seat'. It initially referred to the literal act of removing someone from their seat, but over time, it came to be used more broadly in political and competitive contexts.

See also: seat, seating, seats.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,023 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.