dehumanization
UK[ˌdiːˌhjuːmənaɪˈzeɪʃən]US[ˌdiːˌhjuːmənəˈzeɪʃən]
n
the process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities.
n
the act of treating people as if they are not human, often making it easier to be cruel to them.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
human
ization
de
remove
human
human being
ization
process of making
Etymology
the term 'dehumanization' is a modern english formation built from classical components. the prefix 'de-', from latin, signifies removal or reversal. it is attached to the adjective 'human', which traces back to latin 'humanus', itself derived from 'homo' meaning "man, human being". the suffix '-ization' is a productive english ending indicating a process or result. thus, the word's literal construction means "the process of making something not human". this logical assembly directly reflects its modern psychological and sociological meaning: the systematic stripping away of human attributes, rights, or empathy from individuals or groups, a concept critical to discussions of conflict, prejudice, and atrocity.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + human (human being) + ization (process of making)
de: latin origin, a prefix meaning "down, away, off, removal, reversal".
human: latin origin (humanus), the core root meaning "human being, of or belonging to people".
ization: english suffix from french -iser + -ation, forming nouns meaning "the action or process of making something".
Examples
the propaganda campaign was designed to encourage the dehumanization of the enemy.
many argue that harsh prison conditions contribute to the dehumanization of inmates.
historians study the dehumanization that often precedes acts of genocide.