anti-abortion
Meaning
Opposed to or acting against abortion, especially the legal right to abortion.
Structure
Usage
The senator holds strong anti-abortion views.
The rally was organized by an anti-abortion activist group.
The legislation introduced several new anti-abortion restrictions.
Etymology
The term is a modern English compound, formed by directly combining the classical prefix "anti-" with the noun "abortion." The prefix "anti-" originates from the Ancient Greek preposition antí, meaning "against" or "opposite," which entered English via Latin and French. The word "abortion" stems from the Latin abortio, derived from the verb aboriri ("to miscarry," literally "to go away/be lost"). Therefore, the literal construction "against-abortion" transparently conveys the modern political and ethical stance opposing the practice or legalization of terminating a pregnancy.
Analysis
- anti: From Greek, via Latin and French. A prefix meaning "against," "opposite of," or "preventative of." - abortion: From Latin abortio (miscarriage, abortion), from aboriri (to miscarry, disappear). The noun suffix "-ion" indicates an action or process.